Ruth (Zimmerman) Pile

Ruth Zimmerman Pile, 95, of Friedens, was born June 16, 1924 and died peacefully on November 22, 2019 surrounded by family and with the caring support of UPMC In Touch Hospice, Somerset. She was the daughter of Miriam (Mostoller) and Jacob Zimmerman of Stoystown, the 6th of 9 children. Preceded in death by brothers John, David, and Samuel Zimmerman, and sisters Fran Zufall, Maxine Pierce, and Christine Koontz. Survived by sister Joy Zimmerman of Stoystown, brother Thomas Zimmerman (Verdean), of Friedens, sisters-in-law Joan Zimmerman, Johnstown, Georgiana (Jan) Zimmerman, Somerset, and brother-in-law Donald Trent, formerly of Friedens. Ruth was the wife of Richard R. Pile for 53 years until his death in 2001. Ruth is also survived by her 4 sons – Gregory R. Pile (Barbara) of Davidsville, Mark T. Pile (Susan) of Macungie, Bruce W. Pile (Beth) and John D. Pile (Elizabeth), both of Friedens. She was the loving grandmother of: Nathan and Aaron Pile, Elizabeth Pile Hunsberger, Luke, Matthew, Andrew, Alexander, and Adam Pile, Sarah Pile DeVault, and Jacob and Emma Pile. She was the proud great grandmother of 12 great grandchildren and aunt to a host of very special nieces and nephews. Ruth was a graduate of Stoystown High School, class of 1941. During World War II she and her sister, Maxine, moved to Washington, D.C. to support the war effort, Mac as a nurse and Ruth, working for the Government Accounting Office. After the war, she and Rick married in November 1947 and eventually settled in Friedens where they raised their 4 sons and became involved members of their community over the next 6 decades. Ruth was an active member of the Friedens Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She was a volunteer and Den Mother for the Cub Scouts for many years and actively supported the activities of the Friedens Mother’s Club. Ruth was an extremely humble, thoughtful, undoubtedly independent woman. She knew herself to be a baptized child of God, was an amazing model of Christ’s love and grace throughout her life and freely shared with others her strong belief that God works in and through the hearts and actions of all people. She was a lover of children’s tea parties and grand babies, heritage seeds and wild flowers, morel mushrooms and stinky cheese, recycling and repurposing. The legacy of Ruth’s 95 years on this earth can best be described as devoted commitment to her faith and her family. She continually nurtured the adults and children in her life; was an “old-fashioned down home” cook, widely known for her homemade caramels and cinnamon rolls. She will be remembered for her wise and often pithy sayings, opinions and advice. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by her family, her church and her community. All of us who were privileged to share in her journey on this earth can surely know “We can be. Be and be better. For she existed.” [Maya Angelou]. Visitation for the family and friends of Ruth will be held on Monday from 2 to 8 p.m. at Friedens Lutheran Church. Viewing from 9:30 a.m. until a funeral service celebrating Ruth’s life at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Friedens Lutheran Church. Rev. Douglas Knupp officiating. Interment Somerset County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church 131 S. Main St., Friedens, PA 15541 or to UPMC In Touch Hospice, P.O. Box 1173, Somerset, PA 15501. Arrangements entrusted to Deaner Funeral Home, Stoystown. DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com