Ruth Williams Martinelli, Class of 1952

Posted Apr 20, 2021

Ruth Williams Martinelli ’52 died Jan. 17, 2021. Ruth was born on September 21, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Edwin and Mildred Williams. Ruth attended Otterbein where she was a member of the Tau Epsilon Mu (Talisman) sorority and met her husband Fred Martinelli ’51.

From 1966-1989, Ruth taught first grade at Osborn Elementary School. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ashland. Ruth was a strong supporter of her husband Fred who was the former Ashland Director of Athletics and a College Football Hall of Fame Head Football Coach. Ruth served as Ashland University’s cheerleading coach for many years and was a professor on campus as well. Ruth was the #1 fan of Ashland University Athletics both events on and off campus. She served as a second “mom” to many athletes at Ashland University. An avid baker, she treated them to her homemade brownies and many were privileged to receive a delicious birthday cake baked specially for them by Ruth. She loved watching westerns and the Wheel of Fortune on television. Ruth never met a dog she didn’t fall in love with.

Ruth leaves behind her husband Fred Martinelli ’51; her children, Tom
(Amy) Martinelli, Mike (Nedra) Martinelli, Peggi Martinelli and Jeff Martinelli ’75; her grandchildren, Todd Martinelli, Jeff Martinelli, Kevin Martinelli and Scott (Lisa) Martinelli and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Linda Martinelli, and her brother, Ed Williams.