Ruby Helen Candler

August 18, 1939 - March 15, 2021

Ruby Helen Candler, 81, of Red Bud, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. Ruby was born on August 18, 1939 in Frohna, MO to Arthur and Lilly (Fritsche) Ehlers. She married Frances L. Naeger on June 25, 1960 in Perryville, MO. He passed away on June 27, 1966. Later she married James “Rich” Candler on November 25, 1971 in Perryville, MO. He preceded her in death on August 26, 2020. Ruby was a hardworking and dedicated woman who loved her blended family of 8 children. She worked hard to care for her children, and her grandchildren. She did all she could do on a shoe string budget, by canning and sewing matching outfits for her large family. All she ever wanted was to have her whole family happy and united. She was a long time member of the Waterloo Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She enjoyed accompanying Rich on numerous building and remodeling projects. She became the historian and photographer of the of many Kingdom Halls in southern Illinois and Missouri. She was known for taking pictures. Ruby was always willing to open her home for meetings, association, and parties. She was a talented and generous woman who enjoyed making necklaces and earrings sets to give to others. She also enjoyed writing poetry and stories, trying to turn the negative into a positive. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Surviving are five sons, Michael (Helen) Naeger of Red Bud, Richard (Mariden) Naeger of Ruma, Curtis Naeger of New Athens, James (Sharon) Candler of Colorado Springs, CO and Joseph (Staci) Candler of Red Bud; three daughters, Janis (Paul Rankin) Burdell of Red Bud, Jennifer (Darren Rieke) Candler of Red Bud and Julianna Candler of Red Bud; 21grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, sisters- Alene Pfeiffer and Lilly Gholston and brothers- John and Orville Ehlers. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and her large Kingdom Hall family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, grandchild, siblings- Leonard Ehlers, Ruth Petzold, Lenora Krieg and Margaret Ehlers. A virtual memorial service will be held March 28 at 3 pm. Zoom- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3591854964?pwd=MjluNG1UUkw4QWNJQTcxNHZoKzhQZz09 Meeting ID- 359-185-4964 Passcode- 429710. Memorial arrangements were entrusted to Leesman Funeral Home in Red Bud. The family requests with gratitude that any Memorial contribution be directed to the Waterloo Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses or at jw.org. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.