Wilta Jean Rueter, of Dixon, was born on October 21, 1937, at Brownstown, Illinois, a daughter of Ernest Chester and Mildred E. (Swick) Ward, and departed this life at 12:28 p.m., on Monday, August 12, 2013, at her residence in Dixon. She had been in failing health and had attained the age of 75 years, 9 months, and 22 days.

Mrs. Rueter had accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and had followed her Lord in baptism early in life. Activities she especially enjoyed were playing Bingo, working crossword puzzles, reading, receiving meals from the Dixon Senior Citizens Center, and fellowship meals with her friends. During her working life, Mrs. Rueter had been employed in the restaurant business as a cook until retiring in 2000 and moving to Dixon from Charleston to be near family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Rueter include: One son and daughter-in-law, John and Delores (Brickey) Ward, Dixon; five grandchildren, Valerie and Michael Sowers, Marble Hill, LaDonna and Les Hansmann, Dixon, Brittany and Jimmy Doyle, Dixon, Sabina Winterrowd, Dieterich, Illinois, and Amanda and Jacob Albert, Sweetwater, Florida; eight great-grandchildren, Auston, Geoffrey, Emilee, Karsten, Jaydynn, Torianna, Mylee, and Blake; one brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Mary Ward, Saint Elmo, Illinois; two sisters, Martha Pullian, Chamisal, New Mexico, and Barbara Gillispie, Brownstown, Illinois; nephews; nieces, cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Rueter was preceded in death by one grandson, John Michael Ward; her parents; one brother, Ernest Ward; and eight sisters, Lyda, Lila, Linda, Monda, Candy, Arlena, Kay, and Alma.

Family and friends of Mrs. Rueter will gather for a graveside service in the Griffith Cemetery, Brownstown, Illinois, with Pastor Michael Sowers, Grace Family Fellowship Worship Center, Marble Hill, officiating with a time and date to be designated by the family. Local arrangements were under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions are suggested per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the Dixon Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mrs. Rueter at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com