Carol G. Ruhl

Carol G. Ruhl, nee Gaun, age 77, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017.

Born and raised in Woodstown, Carol was a 1957 graduate of Woodstown High School. Her mother, Anna Duffy Gaun, also graduated from Woodstown High in 1920. According to her Senior yearbook, Carol was willing to help anyone, enjoyed dancing, worked on and edited the yearbook, The Woodstonian, served on the Library Council, and sang in Chorus and Glee Club.

Carol graduated from Goldy Beacom College and became a legal secretary for several Salem County lawyers. She married G. Howard Ruhl, Jr., WHS class of 1955, and they were married for 57 years. They have three children, Susie (Rich), Ward (Sandy), and Melanie (Ken); eight grandchildren, Rich Jr., Caitlin (Nathan), Cheriah (Jimmy), Geo, Jordan, Isabelle, Sophia, and Julia; and four great-grandchildren, Anthony, Kembell, Levi, and Willa. She is also survived by her sister, Anna, and many nephews and nieces.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Anna (Duffy) Gaun; her sisters, Millie, Mary Ann, and Dorothy “Patsy”, and her brother, Jimmy.

Carol enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially celebrating special occasions and relaxing on Stone Harbor Beach.

One of Carol’s favorite past times, was collecting and visiting lighthouses all up and down the coast from Texas to Maine. She only missed a couple of lighthouses in her adventures. Her favorite lighthouse is Sandy Hook at Highlands/Sandy Hook, NJ. In her middle years, you would find Carol square dancing and round dancing with her husband, Howard, and many other close friends with the Hoedowners, the Rainbow Squares, and the Salem County Stompers. She danced at many Civil War balls (annually at Gettysburg) and made her own Civil War ball gowns and Howard’s uniforms. Carol helped cook many meals and perpetuated living history Civil War battle encampments for the learning experience of the public.

Many of her children and grandchildren benefitted with new outfits, accessories, and huggable pets that Mom-Mom’s beautiful skills sewed and crocheted.

Her love of music showed, serving as the church organist (she taught herself to play the piano) and singing alto in the St. Luke’s Church Choir.

She was active with her children and grandchildren, leading a girl scout troop, leading 4-H Square Dance Club (they went to Flemington Championships), driving to and attending activities such as football, soccer, dance recitals, concerts, baseball and softball, to name a few.

Every day one could find Carol reading books and working crossword puzzles. Carol will be greatly missed and her beautiful memory will live on in her family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, September 15th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown, where friends are invited to visit from 9 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow the funeral service in Lawnside Cemetery in Pilesgrove. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Sandy Hook Foundation, 84 Mercer Rd., Highland, NJ 07732.

Please visit www.htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family. Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.