Ruth B. Dietz

Ruth B. Dietz, 91, of Ono, died Monday, June 5, 2017 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. She was the wife of Monroe J. Bohn until he passed away in 1970. She later married Richard J. Dietz, Sr. who died in 2011. Born in Millcreek Township on June 6, 1925, Ruth was raised in the Church of the Brethren and worshipped in the Christian faith. She was the daughter of the late Jesse H. and Mary Darkes Ziegler and was raised on a dairy farm in eastern Lebanon County, where milking cows by hand and collecting chicken eggs were just a few of her daily chores. After graduating from Newmanstown High School, Ruth attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, graduating in 1946 as a registered nurse. She worked as an operating room nurse at both Lebanon Veteran’s Hospital and the Lebanon Sanatorium. Her medical acumen continued beyond her nursing years as she gladly imparted old healing wisdoms on her children and grandchildren. After the death of Monroe Bohn, Ruth assumed his role as a co-owner of JP Donmoyer, Inc., and stepped into a management position at a time when few women worked in the trucking industry. Over the course of her tenure, she received many awards and was recognized as a pioneer for women in business, including being the first recipient of the Lebanon County Athena Award in 1990. In 1996, Ruth was selected one of the “50 Best Business Women in PA” and recognized as an “Entrepreneur of the Year in PA.” Ruth also served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. Ruth cultivated deep roots in the local area and demonstrated a strong commitment to community leadership. In 1957, she helped organize the Ono Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and served as its first President. She served as a member and as president of the Northern Lebanon School Board for 16 years, the Lancaster/Lebanon IU Board, HACC Advisory Board, and the Penn State Harrisburg Advisory Council. Ruth was also a founding member of the Northern Lebanon Rotary Club in 1999. Ruth is survived by two sons, Jeffrey L. Bohn and his wife, Barbara, of Annville, and Hans P. Bohn and his wife, Mary-Lynne, of Carlisle, MA; stepson Richard J. Dietz, Jr. and his wife, Vicki, of Lebanon; and stepdaughter Susan Higginbotham and her husband, Richard, of Overgaard, AZ. She was the proud grandmother of five grandchildren: Austin, Travis, Maxwell, Joshua, and Abigail Bohn. In addition, Ruth leaves behind two brothers, Jesse D. Ziegler of Womelsdorf and Levi Ziegler of Neffsville; three sisters, Mildred Gnegy of Somerset, June Blouch and her husband, Richard, of Palmyra, and Virginia Sandifer of Arcadia, FL. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kristel Bohn, and her brother, Roy. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home and Crematory, N. Rt. 72 and Campmeeting Road, Jonestown at 3:00pm. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00-3:00pm. Interment will be private at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shining Light Ministries, 1600 N. Rt. 934, Annville, PA 17003 in Ruth’s memory.

Ruth B. Dietz

June 6, 1925 - June 5, 2017