Obituary for Ruth Ellen Gilbert (Smeltzer)
Ruth Ellen Gilbert, 79, of Steelton, Pa passed away suddenly in the loving arms of her beloved daughter Becky on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. She will be deeply missed.
She is the daughter of the late Emma I. (Rittner) Smeltzer and the late Robert W. Smeltzer. She’s the ex-wife of the late Robert H. Wetten, Sr. and the ex-wife of the late Jim Gilbert.
She loved to drive on the back roads to Lebanon especially in the fall, which was her favorite time of year, to visit many of the second time around shops and Sunset Outlets. She maintained her hairstylist license for over 30 years and had various other jobs throughout her life including being a librarian for the DCLS in Downtown Harrisburg. She had a true love for watching and reading true crime. Some of her favorite foods were Delmonico steak, peanut butter ice cream and carrot cake.
She had been on dialysis for the last year struggling with chronic kidney disease, along with several other health related issues that finally took their toll.
She is survived by her six children: Rebecca Sweigart her spouse John - Hummelstown, Robert Wetten, Jr. his spouse Cindy - Hershey, Michael Wetten his girlfriend Sonia - Mechanicsburg, Theresa Rowles her spouse Glenn - Middletown, Gina Wetten her spouse Dave Rhoads - Chambers Hill, Linda Osifat - Middletown; One brother, Robert W. Smeltzer, Jr, three sisters, Harriet Henry, Linda Venturo her husband Ron, Lena Ward her husband John; 13 grandchildren: Dustin Wetten, Natasha Wetten her boyfriend Neil, Shanee Lynn Wetten (deceased), Brad Wetten, Dylan Wetten his girlfriend Jess, Kevin Wetten, Derek Rowles, his wife Christina, Amber Sweigart, Trystan Osifat, Steven Wetten, Robert Wetten, Landin Osifat, and Preston Osifat; and one great granddaughter, Sophia. And several nieces and nephews. And her precious dog Bambi.
Family and friends are invited to a public viewing on Monday, January 25, 2021 from 10-11 AM at Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 260 E. Main St., Middletown, PA 17057. Due to Covid, services will be private, but may be watched livestream at 11:00 AM (1/25) or any time following the services on www.matinchekfuneralhome.com and going to Ruth’s memorial page. Friends and family may also share memories and condolences on her page.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. Ruth, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend will be deeply missed. We were all blessed to have her in our lives.
She is the daughter of the late Emma I. (Rittner) Smeltzer and the late Robert W. Smeltzer. She’s the ex-wife of the late Robert H. Wetten, Sr. and the ex-wife of the late Jim Gilbert.
She loved to drive on the back roads to Lebanon especially in the fall, which was her favorite time of year, to visit many of the second time around shops and Sunset Outlets. She maintained her hairstylist license for over 30 years and had various other jobs throughout her life including being a librarian for the DCLS in Downtown Harrisburg. She had a true love for watching and reading true crime. Some of her favorite foods were Delmonico steak, peanut butter ice cream and carrot cake.
She had been on dialysis for the last year struggling with chronic kidney disease, along with several other health related issues that finally took their toll.
She is survived by her six children: Rebecca Sweigart her spouse John - Hummelstown, Robert Wetten, Jr. his spouse Cindy - Hershey, Michael Wetten his girlfriend Sonia - Mechanicsburg, Theresa Rowles her spouse Glenn - Middletown, Gina Wetten her spouse Dave Rhoads - Chambers Hill, Linda Osifat - Middletown; One brother, Robert W. Smeltzer, Jr, three sisters, Harriet Henry, Linda Venturo her husband Ron, Lena Ward her husband John; 13 grandchildren: Dustin Wetten, Natasha Wetten her boyfriend Neil, Shanee Lynn Wetten (deceased), Brad Wetten, Dylan Wetten his girlfriend Jess, Kevin Wetten, Derek Rowles, his wife Christina, Amber Sweigart, Trystan Osifat, Steven Wetten, Robert Wetten, Landin Osifat, and Preston Osifat; and one great granddaughter, Sophia. And several nieces and nephews. And her precious dog Bambi.
Family and friends are invited to a public viewing on Monday, January 25, 2021 from 10-11 AM at Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 260 E. Main St., Middletown, PA 17057. Due to Covid, services will be private, but may be watched livestream at 11:00 AM (1/25) or any time following the services on www.matinchekfuneralhome.com and going to Ruth’s memorial page. Friends and family may also share memories and condolences on her page.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. Ruth, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend will be deeply missed. We were all blessed to have her in our lives.