Wasko Funeral Home

Campbell: Private family services were held Friday at The Wasko Funeral Home and then at St. John Cemetery for James F. Ruse, 86, who passed away Wednesday afternoon after a short illness.
Jim was born October 16, 1923 in Youngstown, the son of Peter and Isabell McNally Ruse; he was a member of St. Patrick Church in Youngstown where he was an altar server for many years there while attending school.
He was a 1942 graduate of South High School where he became a football standout playing fullback. After graduation he received numerous offers from colleges around the country but was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army.  He was stationed in Germany in WWII, in the 564th Corporal Field Artillery Battalion, 71st Infantry Division in Europe.  Jim continued his love for football and played quarterback for the military team in Europe, he also coached and won various boxing titles for the Army.
He received a Victory Medal for WWII and was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon and the E.A.M.E. Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and was honorably discharged on April 29, 1946.
After coming home Jim played football for Youngstown College; he worked for Republic Rubber Aeroquip Division for 32 years and later retired from Truscon LTV Steel Company.
While employed at Aeroquip he met his wife, the former Stephanie Prus, and they married on Oct. 13, 1962 in Sts. Peter and Paul Church.  They made there home in Campbell where they raised their three children, James Jr. of Campbell, Kimberly (Jim) Schrieber of New Middletown and Terri (Joe) Larubina of Campbell.  He also leaves his four grandchildren to cherish his memory, Brittany and Brooke Schrieber and Joey and Courtney Larubina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Stephanie who passed away May 2, 2002; a sister, Wilma June and a brother Clarence.
He will be remembered by family and friends for his strength in overcoming many obstacles in his life and for those who knew him, knew he lived his life by his own rules, may he rest in peace.
The Ruse family has entrusted the arrangements of their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell.