Ruth M. Oates, of Charleroi, passed away Friday, October 7, 2016.  Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Robert F. Oates; her parents Fred and Anna Ashton Miller; brothers Charles and Edward Miller and nephews Robert and Michael Rusak.  Ruth is survived by her daughter Erin Kathleen Boyarsky (Jerry), son Sean Patrick Oates (Misty); Nanny to grandchildren Jerry, Jr. (Michele), Zachary, Krysta, Matthew and Ashton Boyarsky, Makenzie and Brooke Oates; sisters and brothers-in-law John and Mary Jane Aponasewicz and James and Joann Oates; nieces, nephews and cousins; Lifelong loving friends Judy Fish, Mark Rotolo and caretaker and “Angel” Heather Sphar.  Ruth was a spirited soul who was always a champion for the underdog.  She was a passionate special education teacher with a career that began at St. Anthony’s in Monongahela and continued at Charleroi Area High School under the Intermediate Unit where she retired in 2004.  She was an advocate always for her students and took great pride in beginning a program that enabled many to obtain jobs within their local communities.  Ruth was an active volunteer for years with Special Olympics and St. Jude which was a charity dear to her heart.  She was a member of Mary, other of the Church Parish in Charleroi where she and Bob were married on May 16th 1959.  She was also a proud member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.  There will be no calling hours. She will be remembered lovingly in a memorial mass, Tuesday October 18th at 10:00a.m. in Mary, Mother of the Church, 7th and Washington Ave., Charleroi, followed by a celebration of her life.  In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in her name to PA. Special Olympics, Cedar Ridge Business park, 200 Cedar Ridge Dr., Suite 214, Pgh, PA. 15205 Arrangements were entrusted to the Schrock-Hogan Funeral Home and Cremation services, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to the family ay www.schrock-hogan.com.

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