Ruth Mansfield

Former Potter County Republican Chair and Pure Carbon Company executive Ruth S. Mansfield died Thursday (Aug. 16, 2007) at the Springs Nursing Facility in Pasadena, Fla., at the age of 90.

Born on March 14, 1917 in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of Walter and Margaret Cole Stiles. On Dec. 9, 1939 in Coudersport, she married Richard A. Mansfield, who died on Oct. 28, 1993.

Mrs. Mansfield graduated from Coudersport High School and Practical Nursing School in Batavia, N.Y. She worked in the nursing field for many years.

At the Pure Carbon plant in Coudersport, she served in a personnel and human resources capacity, as well as the plant nurse.

She was a member of Park United Methodist Church and the Coudersport Business and Professional Women's Club. She served for many years as chair of the Potter County Republican Committee and was active in party affairs at the local, state and national levels.

Mrs. Mansfield was an outspoken advocate of the twoparty system and enjoyed engaging people in political dialogue. She served for a time as a member of Coudersport Borough Council, heading the personnel committee.

In 1995, Mrs. Mansfield moved to Tierra Verde, Fla., and resided with her daughter and family. Soon, she was working for the local (Pinellas County) election board as a watcher in her precinct.

Surviving are a daughter, Marsha Mansfield (Thur) Young of Tierra Verde; two granddaughters, Martha Young (Jerry) Little of Tierra Verde, Karen Young (Jerry) Weaver of Jacksonville, Fla.; two-greatgrandchildren, Meredith Little of Tierra Verde, and Cole Weaver of Jacksonville; four nieces, Linda Russell, Nancy Palmatier, Virginia Erway and Susan Hetrick, all of Coudersport; and one nephew, William Goodnoe, Port Allegany.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Walter Stiles III.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at Park United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Siikanen, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Sweden Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Park United Methodist Church. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Fickinger Funeral Home of Coudersport.