Ruth Ann Haggard

Ruth Ann Haggard, age 73, of LaGrange, IN, formerly of Ligonier, IN passed away at 8:28 on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born on March 10, 1946 the daughter of Charles Wesley and Thelma Mae (Galbrith) Taylor in Bangor, MI. She married Jerry Haggard in 1990; he preceded her in death in 2006.

Ruth is survived by six children, Brad (Loni) Sanford of Ligonier, IN, Kimberly Pfefferle of Ligonier, IN, Tracy (Hillis) Shepherd of Ligonier, IN, Vonzeal (Barry) Fulford of Albion, IN, Carl (Lora Egly) Sanford of Ligonier, IN, and Kerston (Jonas) Miller of LaGrange, IN; 21 grandchildren, Brooke, Adam, Derek, Cody, Brandon, Harry, Tracy, Amber, Austin, Thelma, Catie, Anna, Jason, George, Wesley, Santana, Carly, Gloria, Micah,  and Myra; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Baxter of Bremen, IN; two brothers, Mark (Cindy) Smeltzer and David (Tracy) Smeltzer, both of Birch Tree, MO; and a sister-in-law, Helen Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Carl Smeltzer; two husbands, George Sanford, and Jerry Haggard; and two brothers, Bill Taylor and Richard Taylor.

Ruth grew up in Southwest Michigan and graduated from South Haven High School in 1964. She moved to the area in the 1970’s and worked for Essex Wire and later retired from Tenneco after over 22 years of service. Ruth was a member of the Ligonier Evangelical Church for many years and loved her friends at LifeBridge in LaGrange like family. She was an incredibly hard worker and was very devoted to her family. Ruth was always there for others, and was always thinking of them before herself.  More than anything, Ruth loved herchildren, grandchildren, and her dog, Rusty.

A funeral service will be held in Ruth’s honor on at 2pm on Sunday June 2, 2019 at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South; Ligonier, IN. Pastors Harold Gingerich and Matt Gingerich will officiate. Burial will follow at Broadway Cemetery in Kimmell, IN.

Family and friends will received from 3-8 pm at Yeager Funeral Home on Saturday June 1, 2019.

Memorial contributions may be directed to LifeBridge Senior Program, 207 N. Townline Road, LaGrange, IN 46761.