Iola Ruth (Deemer) Holcomb quietly slipped away to be with Jesus on June 9, 2008. Ruth, as she was known by family and friends was born February 23, 1912 in Bippus, (Huntington Co.) Indiana to A. Vernon and Laura (Metzler) Deemer. At a young age her family moved to a farm near Honor, Michigan. When Ruth was just 17 she attended County Normal and started teaching. Eventually she went to Central State Teachers College and received a Life Teachers Certificate. While there her roommate Pearl Holcomb took her home and introduced her to her brother, Ernest Holcomb. Ernest and Ruth were married June 30, 1940 and he preceded her in death in 1987. Ruth remained strong to her faith and walk with Jesus attending Bible studies and studying her Bible. Ruth is survived by her three children: Judie (Duane) Goltz, Jean (Russell) Cousineau, Bill (Valerie) Holcomb, Ten grandchildren: Kami (Brian) DeWitt, Dan (Paula) Goltz, Rick (Jody) Goltz, Christy (Jeff) Dodge, Jeff (Jennifer) Cousineau, Joel (Sherri) Cousineau, Shari (Todd) Hooper, Kati (Robert) Rodriguez, Amii (Ryan) Hostetler, Joshua Holcomb. Great grandchildren: Cameron, Cody, Justin, Travis and Quentin DeWitt; Samantha Goltz; Macy, Ian, Alden Goltz; Matthew, Luke, Jacob, Hannah Ruth Dodge; Chase, Elise and Ava Cousineau; Caleb and Isaac Cousineau; Ana Rose, Joshua, Shauna and Shannon Hooper; Zane Holcomb and Zoe Grace Rodriguez; Nolan Hostetler, brother in law; Elwyn Miller and four nieces and nephews. Ruth is also preceded in death by two sisters; Mae Miller and Amy (Harold) Mead and sister-in-law Pearl (Truman) Farrand. Services for Ruth will take place 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood with visitation one hour prior at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Interment will be at Higbee Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday (today) at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be left in Ruth's memory to the Northland United Methodist Church or Hospice of Michigan.