Ruth Eleanor Coffey

Harvard - Ruth Eleanor Van Roo Coffey, 73, of Harvard, passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021at OSF Medical Center in Rockford.

Chub, as many people knew her, was born October 13, 1948 in Baraboo, WI to John and Mary (Cavanaugh) Van Roo. She attended Columbus High School and graduated in 1967.
She was a member of the Air National Guard in Madison. Ruth met her husband Donald Coffey there. They were introduced by her brother Dick, also a member of the guard. They were married on January 22, 1977 shortly after that they moved to Harvard.

Ruth worked in various banks in the area. She also owned and ran “Ruthie’s” a favorite bar for many in Harvard. Chub also served her township as a trustee on the board for many years and only recently retired from that.
Chub was an avid golfer. Ruth and Don had many wonderful golfing trips planned around their love of the game. She also golfed with a wonderful group of ladies.
She and Don loved the Heritage House in Harvard and often thought of the staff there as part of her family. All knew she loved the Cubs!
She loved to be in Maui and will be missed by many there. She and Don visited there every year for over 40 years.

Ruth is survived by her husband Don Harvard; two brothers, John T Van Roo (Charlene) of Columbus WI and Peter Van Roo (Jean) of Janesville, WI; two sisters Mary Van Roo of Waunakee Wi, and Jane Crawley (Stephen) of Highland Il; a sister-in-law, Sharon Quale (Dick); one son, Scott Blank (Terry) of Green Bay ,WI; one granddaughter, Madison Blank of Green Bay. She dearly loved her nieces, Jenny Anthon (Eric); Anje Van Roo, Becky Doerr (Brett), Stephanie Crawley and her nephews Mike Van Roo (Rosemary), Andy Van Roo (Tresa), Ryan Van Roo (Laura), Jon Van Roo, Bart Van Roo ( Laura), Ben Van Roo (Annie), and Jim Crawley. She also loved all her great nieces and nephews Emily, Cooper and Alyse Anthon, Ellee and Izzy Doerr, Shane, Cassidy and Kylie Van Roo, Vaughn and Kieran Van Roo, Shannon, Thomas and Reid Van Roo, Coen and Maran Van Roo and Camille Crawley. One of Ruth’s greatest joys was to see them at the family reunions that she and Don held.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Dick, and nephew Mark.

A visitation will be held at the Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard, IL from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Wednesday December 22 with a Time of Remembrance at 5:00 pm.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

For more information call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home at 815-943-5400.

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