Ira Ruby

Ira "Don" Ruby, 78, of Du Quoin, died at 10:25 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002 at Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Don was a retired carpenter and had been employed by contractor Dale Schwinn. He was a member of the Gospel Assembly Church in Du Quoin and had been very active in the church's activities for 43 years. He had been church treasurer for several years, played several instruments in the church orchestra and was a member of the church choir. He had also volunteered many hours of carpentry work at the church. Don served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was also a member of the Carpenters' Union local.
Don was born December 20, 1923 at Tacomy, Colo., the son of Elias and Mary (Bender) Ruby. He married Vera Abbott on September 21, 1958 at the Gospel Assembly Church in Du Quoin, and she survives. 
Other survivors include son, Don Ruby and wife Michelle of Lawrenceville, Ga.; two daughters, Veronica Gasaway of Lawrenceville, Ga. and Yvonne Overton and husband Earl of Du Quoin; grandchildren Trevor and Tyler Ruby, Jordan, Ryan and Austin Gasaway, J.J. and Dalton James and Mandy and Jona Overton; two sisters, Anna Lancaster and Beulah Higdon, both of Du Quoin; a brother, Eldo Ruby and wife Fran of Hensley, Ak.; a sister-in-law, Olga Ruby of Brush, Colo.; brothers- and sisters-in-law Lloyd and Earline Abbott of Du Quoin, Henry and Jeannine Abbot of Murphysboro, Harold and Margaret Abbott of Birmingham, Ala., Gene Abbott of Du Quoin, Opal McDonald of Benton, and Betty and Gary Garrett of Decatur, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Austin Ruby and sister Viola Spelts.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2002 at the Gospel Assembly Church in Du Quoin with Rev. Dennis Fitzsimmons officiating. Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin and from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Park, Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to the Gospel Assembly Church orchestra or choir.
