Ruth Ann Chronister, 76, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday, July 27, 2018 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Ruth was born in Timberlake, South Dakota on May 12, 1942 to Leo and Mary (Hemberger) Schreiner. The family moved to Brookfield, MO in 1947.

Ruth moved to Kirksville, MO in 1975. She was employed at KCMO/ATSU in 1975 - Present. Ruth was a secretary in the Psychiatric Dept. for Harry S. Still and several other psychiatrists for many years. In 1987 she became the Administrative Assistant to the doctors in the Pharmacology Department. She received several awards for her outstanding work and achievements throughout her career. She was a wealth of information, so helpful to others, new faculty and staff alike. She was well respected and loved by her co-workers and will be missed greatly by them all. Ruth enjoyed her job immensely and asked when she would retire, her response would always be "I'm too old to retire, I need to be around people."

Ruth loved helping and being around people. She joined the V.F.W. in 2000 and became a lifetime member in 2005. She immersed herself in helping veterans by serving as Secretary of District 17 Auxiliary since 2010. She had been Auxiliary Secretary since 2004. She also helped with Tuesday night bingo, went Christmas shopping for Veterans and attended every convention, just to mention a few. She was a special lady to the Veterans and will be greatly missed by those she served and volunteered with. Ruth was also a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church of Kirksville.

Ruth is survived by her significant other/best friend of 20 years, Arthur Heinold; three children, Geni Mahjoub of Laguna Niguel, CA; Matt and Sherri Gelvin of Omaha, NE; Christine and Michael Palan of Turney, MO; two brothers, David and Anita Schreiner of Kansas City, MO, and Jerry and Jin Schreiner of Fairmont, NE; seven grandchildren, Sarah and Chad Kulengosky of Coto-De-Casa, CA, Maryam and Glenn Fraser of Laguna Hills, CA, Jennifer and Brandon Baumgartner of Laguna Niguel, CA, Brock and Evan Gipson of Plattsburg, MO, Jake Gipson of Plattsburg, MO, Connor Gelvin of Omaha, NE, and Cody Gelvin of Omaha, NE; four great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

Ruth was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and a friend to many. Her faith, enthusiasm, energy, organization and volunteerism had a positive impact on so many people and the community. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for Ruth.

A Prayer service will be held 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with family receiving friends following from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, with Monsignor David Cox presiding. Interment will follow Mass at Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Brock Gipson, Jake Gipson, Steve Hevalow, Connor Gelvin, Cody Gelvin, and Neal Kisner.

Memorial donations in memory of Ruth Chronister may be made to the Department of Pharmacology KCOM ATSU and/or V.F.W. Post 2508, Lady's Auxiliary and may be left or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.