Karen Ruhlen

KAREN MARIE RUHLEN, 55, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, formerly of Lima, Ohio, died at 7:15 a.m. November 22, 2004, in Florida from injuries suffered in an auto accident. She was born May 22, 1949, in Anderson, Indiana. Her father, Joe Wilbur, survives. Her husband of 13 years, Richard Ruhlen, survives in Florida. Mrs. Ruhlen was an instructor at Concorde Career Institute in Florida. She was a 1967 graduate of Madison Heights High School, Anderson, Indiana. Her family moved to Florida in 1983. She devoted her life to her family and her husband and was a loving caretaker to her grandmother, Helen. She has now gone to be with the Lord. Survivors also include two sons, Frank Banning and Kenny Joe Banning, both of Wesley Chapel, Florida; a stepdaughter, Gayle (Keith) Miller of Temple Terrance, Florida; a stepson, John Ruhlen of Jacksonville, Florida; two sisters, Ramona (Jim) Knotts and Linda (Dave) Walker, both of Indiana; four brothers, Ron J. (Elsie) Wilbur, Tom Wilbur, Robbie Wilbur and Kelly Wilbur, all of Indiana; a sister-in-law, Helen (Bill) Ruhlen of Findlay, Ohio; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Elaine Banning of Wesley Chapel, Florida, and Lauren Miller and Trent Miller, both of Temple Terrace, Florida; a cousin, Marilyn Kunce; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Helen and Harold Burger; an uncle, Ronald L. Wilbur; and a nephew, Alec Rettinhouse. Graveside services will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Greenlawn Cemetery, Elida, Ohio. Pastor Robert Gibson will officiate. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com. Local arrangements are by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.