Ruth Ann Hynes, 86, Jasper

Ruth Ann Hynes, 86, of Jasper, passed away at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Campus in Jasper.

Ruth was born on August 7, 1930, in Jasper to Felix and Frances (Bohro) Kunkel. She married Thomas Hynes on August 28, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper.

After working at Memorial Hospital for a short time, Ruth was employed by Dr. Edward Ploetner. In the early 1970s, Ruth and Tom opened Adventures in Travel — Jasper’s first travel agency. Ruth’s last employment was as a receptionist for the Dodson Accounting Office.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and involved in the church commissions. She volunteered her time reading at mass.

Ruth had a curious nature about her. She passed that inquisitive nature of the outdoors on to her children. She expressed herself through painting landscapes. She hunted game with her father, Felix. Her wooden spoon cream puffs were simply delicious. Quilting and crocheting were part of her past time. Many of the weekends raising her children were spent at the lake house fishing and trekking through the woods in Southern Indiana. She had a zeal for life, travel, and adventure. Ruth’s great love was sports. She especially enjoyed tennis, golf, and bowling. Rarely did she miss watching an IU or Pacers game.

The better part of Ruth’s adult life was spent providing care to her ailing mother. After her mother’s passing, she had a few short years enjoying life with her husband before caring for him in his elder years. Her selfless nature will be remembered by all the people she touched.

Surviving are five children, Jim (Lori) Hynes of Indianapolis, Lynn (Omar) Freyre-Montero of Indianapolis, David (Carla) Hynes of Evansville, Lisa Hynes of Stamford, Conn. and Dan (Amy) Hynes of Cuzco; one brother Alan (Brenda) Kunkel of Jasper; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She loved raising her children and the opportunity to influence the next generation’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are two brothers, Richard and Jim Kunkel.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth Ann Hynes will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper on Sunday, March 19, 2017. The Daughters of Isabella will pray a rosary at 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or a favorite charity.

Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.