Ruth Lewis

RUTH JEAN LEWIS 79, of Bellaire, died on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. Ruth Jean was born on September 27, 1929 in Bellaire, the daughter of Roy and Margaret (Fuller) Ellison. She was raised in Bellaire and was a 1947 graduate of Bellaire High School. On October 2, 1948 Ruth married Herman "Bud" Lewis. In 1956, Bud and Ruth bought Bud's Grill, later renamed the Village Chalet. Her restaurant experience started earlier in her life working at Mary's Tea Room and Fisherman's Paradise both in Bellaire. It was at the restaurant where Ruth spent many hours working and making friends, that after retirement in 1992, was what she missed the most. Many of the regular back table customers still remember the jokes she would play on them and of course, they always took their turns at her. She was preceded in death by her husband Herman "Bud" Lewis in 1999, her parents, a sister Wanda Kirby, three brothers, Steve, John and Max Ellison, sister-in-law Connie Troll and brother-in-law Jack Troll. Surviving Ruth are three children, Carol (Richard) Sharp of Bellaire, Hal (Kathy) Lewis of Petoskey, Kelly (Brent) Hewitt of Petoskey, seven grandchildren, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Smith of Bellaire, Rachel Lewis, Heather (Terry) Bonar, Brooke and Logan Hebert and Megan and Shawn Hewitt all of Petoskey, and three great grandchildren with the fourth arriving shortly. Also surviving are two sister-in-laws, Sally (Charles) Hebden of Bellaire, Bonnie (Gordon) Strauss of Bellaire as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Private graveside services will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. Arrangements are being handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.