Doris Rugs

Doris Rugs of Warsaw, Indiana danced her way into Heaven at 3:39 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw at the age of 85. 

She was born on April 8, 1938, in Central City, Kentucky to Lona Lee (Whitehouse) and Harvey Hugh Spears.   After graduating from high school, Doris attended Hartford College in Palatine, Illinois.

On April 21, 1956, Doris married the love of her life, Gerald Anthony Rugs.  They were blessed with raising three daughters, sharing the joy of becoming grandparents and great-grandparents during their 58 years together before Gerald passed away on November 23, 2014.

She moved to Kosciusko County, Indiana in 1963 with her husband and family.  Throughout her life, Doris worked various jobs to help support her family.  She was not afraid to try new things, she worked in banking and retail as an assistant manager in a clothing store.  Doris enjoyed golfing, bowling and was great with her hands and detail work as an avid sewer.  She enjoyed the fellowship of her church family at Warsaw Community Church.  Doris will forever be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, she was adored by many and will be dearly missed. 

She leaves behind her three daughters, Theresa (Jack) Wilhite (Warsaw, IN); Deborah (Bruce Wertheimer) Rugs, PhD. (Lutz, FL); and Kathleen (Lyle) Meeker (Warsaw, IN).  Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Brandon (Stacey) Wilhite (Milford, IN); Stacey (Clinton) Judd (Warsaw, IN); Lance Wilhite (Warsaw, IN); Clayson (Debora) Wilhite (Warsaw, IN); Ellie (Robby) Donaghy (Wesley Chapel, FL); Kirk Wertheimer (Lutz, FL); Shaun (Tiffany) Meeker (Pierceton, IN); Michal Meeker (Warsaw, IN); Ruth Meeker (Warsaw, IN); eleven great-grandchildren, Carson and Reagan Judd; Linux, Grace and Rose Wilhite, Joshua, J.D., Maddie, Nakia and Temperance Meeker; Lily Donaghy; three great bonus kids, many nieces and nephews and her best friend, Ruth Whiteneck.  As well as her brother, Bill Spears (El Paso, TX) and her sister, Shirley Spears (Chicago, IL).  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and three brothers.

Friends and family may visit from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.   Doris’ life will be celebrated with a service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by her grandson, Pastor Brandon Wilhite.  A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko County Community Foundation, 102 E. Market Street, Warsaw, IN  46580….Please note on memo line of the check:  Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Rugs, please visit our floral store.