Ruth Kite

Ruth Kite, 93 of Farmington, passed away Thursday, September 06, 2012 at Southbrook Nursing Facility in Farmington.She was born October 24, 1918 in Hopewell, to the late Jasper Elbridge and Rose (Eichenberger) Allen.When Ruth was six weeks old, her mother died in the Flu epidemic of 1918, and ten days later, her father also died from the flu.She was then adopted by her maternal grandparents, the late Rudolph and Anna (Bergmann) Eichenberger, when she was two.Ruth later married Vernon G. Kite February 15, 1935.To this union, seven children were born. Vernon preceded Ruth in 1971. She was also preceded in death by sons, Larrell Anthel Kite (1976), Gordon "Bud" C. Kite (1983), Kenneth K. Kite (1940); daughter, Melba Kite (2011); brother, Johnnie Allen; uncles/brothers, Rudolph, George, Tom and John Eichenberger; aunts/sisters, Annie Nixon, Elizabeth Eichenberger, Mattie Waller and Bertha Shindoll. Ruth is survived by sons, Vernon G. (Donna Evans) Kite Jr. of South Roxana, IL, and Gary E. (Donna Pryor) Kite of Hernando, MS; daughters, Phyllis M. (Herman) Jackson of Bonne Terre; daughter in-law, Carolyn (Hulsey) Kite of Leadwood; grandchildren, Kim, Terry, Larry, Lisa, Tamara, Kirsten, Tom, Ted and Jimmy; ten great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, several nieces, nephews and friends. Ruth has been a business woman in Leadwood since 1940, when she and her husband opened Kites, an all-night restaurant and gas station.Kites grew to include a skating rink, bowling alleys, pool tables, dance floor and soft freeze ice cream.The recreation center closed in 1964.Ruth and her husband bought a furniture factory in 1958.They made hand built tailored furniture at Kites Mo-Co Furniture Company, until Vernons Death in 1971.Ruth upholstered furniture at Kites Upholstery until she retired at 85 years old. Ruth was an excellent cook and was known for her doughnuts, cookies and popcorn balls she gave as treats on Halloween.She was also honored by the City of Leadwood, as one of the longest continuous businesses, when the city had their 100 year Celebration.She was also the Grand Marshall for the West County High School Carnival Parade in 2000. Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, honored Ruth as the last living survivor of the 1922 Sulpher Springs train wreck. Visitation will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.The service will be held at C.Z. Boyer and Son Chapel in Desloge, Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM.Interment will follow at Leadwood Cemetery.Memorials may be given to the Leadwood Parks Department. View tribute and share your memories and condolences at www.czboyer.com.