Our sweet mother. Ruth Spear, peacefully left for Heaven on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, just 7 days short of her 101st birthday. We also send yet another thank-you to the over 180 kind-hearted Lebanon and County residents who generously made her 100th birthday 2025 that much more special by sending a 100th birthday card to mark her Century birthday last year, which was a source of great joy to her.
She passed peacefully at home, where she has been living with her daughter since the November 2018 passing of her husband, Max Spear. Ruth was born April 29, 1925 in Lebanon, the third eldest of five children of the late Basil Sr. and Allyene (Radford) Jeffries. Ruth graduated from Lebanon High in 1942, and married Max Spear in 1944.
She was ever a helpful child to her widowed Mother, a supportive sister to her four siblings, a devoted wife of 75 years, a caring and attentive Mom, a joyfully doting Grand, Great, and Great-Great Grandmother, all with an unwavering Faith that goodness lives in us all. She spent her life keeping her cup not just Half Full, but over-flowing with accomplishment, laughter, and out-pouring of love. She was still winning any card game dealt up until a month before her passing!
The Matriarch of our family, Ruth loved each family member fiercely with a special soft heart for the grand/great/and great-great grandchildren. Ruth is survived by sisters, Esther Fisher of Frankfort, IN and Joanna App of Bainbridge, IN; daughter, Linda Leopard of Lebanon; daughter-in-law, Carol Spear of Thorntown; grandchildren, Jennifer Nunes (Frank) of Tampa, FL, David Spear (Ursula) of W. Lafayette, IN, and bonus grandson, Dennis Conrad (Jaime) of Carmel, IN; great grandchildren, Joseph Nunes of Tampa, FL, Lisa Spear of Lexington, KY, Master Sergeant Christopher Spear (Chelsey) of San Antonio, TX; Troy Spear of Thorntown and bonus great grandsons, DJ Conrad of Carmel, IN and Dakota Conrad in Indianapolis; great-great grandchildren, Oliver and Felix Spear of San Antonio, Texas; and many truly treasured cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Basil Sr. and Allyene Jeffries; beloved husband, Max Spear; son, Michael Spear; grandsons, Tim (Linda’s son), Steve (Mike and Carol’s son); both brothers, Jean and Basil Jr. Jeffries and later their wives, Martha and Phyllis; sister, Nancy App (John) of Greencastle, IN; brothers-in-law, Calvin (Esther) Fisher and Oscar ‘Bud’ App (Joanna) of Bainbridge, IN.
We are sending much sincere appreciation and warm thanks to Heartland Hospice, particularly: daily aide Melissa; nurses Trishia, Renee, Sully, and Desara’; volunteer admin. Cheryl; Chaplain Vey Kidney. Their services were keenly attentive, ever available, tenderly gentle, and so very much appreciated.
Funeral Services are planned for 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, presided by Pastor Vey Kidney. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers a memorial donation in her name may be made to her favorite charity, The Caring Center, 1230 Randsdell Court, Lebanon, Indiana, 46052.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com.