Ruth Marie Kuntzman

Ruth Marie (Egli) Kuntzman passed away on February 21, 2024, at age 92, after an illness of a few months.

She was born on November 6, 1931 to the late Lester and Dora (Forshey) Egli in Alliance, Ohio. 

A lifelong resident of Stark County, she grew up in the Beechwood neighborhood. In her childhood, she helped her parents in their operation of the Egli Service Station, ringing up sales in their convenience store and learning how to change oil, sparkplugs, and more.

A 1949 graduate of Alliance High School, Ruth married her classmate and sweetheart Dale Edward Kuntzman on April 15, 1950. After raising her sons to school age, she entered the workforce and began her 20+ year career with Kuntzman Trucking. With a sharp mind for mathematics, she was a natural to take over from her mother-in-law as the company’s bookkeeper.

Ruth enjoyed playing golf and bowling, participating in many leagues at Parkway Lanes. She rooted for (and bemoaned) the Browns, the Cavaliers, and the Guardians. She was a strong supporter of the arts, enjoying her sons’ rock band practices (at least until it rattled the dishes!), practicing various needlearts, and attending her sons’ and granddaughters’ many art exhibits, theatrical plays, and marching band concerts. She loved animals and cared for many cats over her lifetime. She enjoyed spending time with her family; the arrival and antics of her twin great-grandsons brought her much joy.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dale Kuntzman, who died in 1983, and her half-brother, Robert Forshey.

She is survived by her sons David (Diane) Kuntzman of Paris, Edward (Tom Albury) Kuntzman and Richard Kuntzman of North Canton; granddaughters Lauren Kuntzman of Paris and Lindsay (Josh) Hilewick of Aurora; and, great-grandsons Emmett and Owen Hilewick. A niece, Karen Beck, of Marietta, Georgia also survives.

Interment will be in Fairmount Memorial Park, Alliance, Ohio. Immediate family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. The family would like to thank the many hospice nurses who helped care for Ruth in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ruth’s memory to Aultman Hospice & Palliative Care, 2821 Woodlawn Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44708.