Ruth G. Diffenderfer

Ruth Grace (Loughner) Diffenderfer, age 65 of Irwin, passed from this life peacefully Monday, September 22, 2014, in Redstone Highlands, Greensburg, after her 26 year battle with cancer. She was born in Greensburg, February 8, 1949, the daughter of Ruth (Kunkle) Loughner of Irwin and the late Wayne Loughner. She grew up in Irwin where she was a girl scout and graduated from Norwin High School, Class of 1967. She then went to Grove City College where she met her husband Dennis, earned a degree in Elementary Education, and was President of the sorority, Theta Alpha Pi. She received a master's degree in elementary education from Penn State. She taught kindergarten and 1st grade for 25 years at Norwin School District. She also served as President of the Norwin PTA. During her tenure at Norwin, “Mrs. D” formed many lasting relationships with the children she taught, parents and colleagues. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Irwin her whole life where she served as a deacon and elder. We thank Ruthie for all the joy she gave us. She was an extraordinary daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, aunt, teacher, neighbor, cousin, colleague, and volunteer, and most importantly an incredible person who believed in the resurrected Jesus Christ. In addition to her mother she is survived by her husband of 42 years, Dennis R. Diffenderfer; her children, David Diffenderfer, an Army 82nd Airborne veteran, of Irwin and Julie Armel and her husband Adam of Dormont; her brother Joe Loughner of Tulsa, OK; and beloved cousins, Paul and Chelsea Bair of Tucson, AZ; Skip and Mary-Ann Leon of Concord, NH; John and Alex Kunkle of Monroeville, PA; Bill and Jan Kunkle of Camillus, NY; Rick and Denise Kunkle of Brighton, MI; Daryl Gilder of Rowley, MA; Ed and Ann McEndarfer of Bloomington, IN and Puran and Susanna Bair of Tucson, AZ. In addition to her father she is preceded in death by her father and mother in-law Ken and Carolyn Diffenderfer formerly of Hagerstown, MD. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the William Snyder Funeral Home, 521 Main Street, Irwin, 724-863-1200. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in First Presbyterian Church, 617 Main Street, Irwin, with her pastor, Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman, officiating. Those attending please go directly to the church. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Redstone Highlands Benevolent Care Fund of Greensburg, by contacting Lisa Dormire at 724-832-8400 or Westmoreland County Community College Educational Foundation of Youngwood, by contacting Debra Woods at 724-925-4083. The family wishes to thank the staff of Redstone Highlands for their professional, conscientious and caring support during a difficult and trying time in the passing of their beloved Ruthie. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com. Farewell to the lady with a smile! Your Tuesday morning bible class will miss you dearly.

Ruth G. Diffenderfer

February 8, 1949 - September 22, 2014