July 31, 1924 – July 17, 2012

Mrs. Whitson was born in Chicago, Illinois to Earl and Erma Bridgman.  An only child, she grew up in the city and was a member of the first graduating class at William Howard Taft High School.  

She married Herbert Richard Kozel who was an 8th Army Air Force B-17 navigator. He was killed in action over Germany in July, 1944.  She was married to Richard Wyman Whitson in 1963.  She and her second husband first lived in Park Ridge, Illinois and then moved to the Missouri Ozarks where they started a nursery and landscaping business to which they devoted their lives for twenty years.  Upon retirement they moved to Anderson, South Carolina to be near Ruth’s son, Tom and his wife Ann.  Richard predeceased Ruth in 2005.

She is survived by her son, Tom Kozel; daughter-in-law, Ann Kozel; grandsons, Richard Kozel of Seattle, Washington, Keith Kozel of Savannah, Georgia; step-son, Thomas Whitson of Houston, Texas; and step-daughter, Debbie Hempy of Hilliard, Ohio.  Special thanks and love are paid to Gail Remley for her help, patience and care given during Ruth’s long illness.  Love and thanks also to Patricia Litman her other devoted caregiver.

Mrs. Whitson will be buried in Mount Emblem Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, after a brief graveside service on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 11:00 AM, conducted by Pederson-Ryberg Mortuary, Elmhurst, Illinois.

Remembrances should be sent in the form of donations to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC or The Pilot Dog Program, 625 West Town Street, Columbus, OH, 43215.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com