Ruth Hackman

Ruth Yoder Hackman, 92, of Souderton, formerly of Allentown, died Sat. May 13th at Souderton Mennonite Homes.  She was the wife of the late J. Walter Hackman. Born November 3, 1924 in Blooming Glen, she was a daughter of the late Wilmer and Edna (Gehman) Yoder.  After the death of her mother, her step mother Florence Keller Yoder fulfilled the role of her mother. She received her formal education in one room schools and graduated from 8th grade in East Rockhill Township.  She loved to read and took pleasure in entertaining.  She enjoyed art and received early lessons in oil painting from Walter Baum.  Along with her husband, she co-founded Hackman's Bible Bookstore in Whitehall, filling an active role from its beginning.  Ruth was always active in the advertising of the bookstore including radio advertising. She wrote a column for Bookstore Journal for six years and was the author of two books; "All Things and Stuff" and "God In the Midst of Everyday".  She wrote a weekly newspaper column called "Reflections" for 22 years in the Saturday edition of the Morning Call which was sponsored by Hackman's Bible Bookstore. Ruth was active in the early days of the Allentown Mennonite Church, where she was an adult Sunday School teacher.  She was currently a member of Swamp Mennonite Church in Quakertown. Surviving are her daughters, Rose Martin, husband Glenn of Barto, Rebecca Hess, husband John of Jonestown, Jenny Fitting, husband David of Allentown, and Libby Bauman, husband Matthew of Quakertown; son, Joseph Hackman, wife Marcia of Allentown; grandchildren, Lisa, Rodney, Shawn, Andrew, Kevin, Joseph, Elizabeth, Brian, Jason, Kyle, and Jon; great grandchildren, Alex, Caleb, Brandon, Matthew, Ryan, Ruth, Priscilla, Braeden, Kiera, Ila, Jude, Paxton, Adaline, Brielle, Annabelle, and Hunter.  She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Kimberly Rodriguez, and a great granddaughter, Elizabeth Stoltzfus. Friends and family may call from 6:00-8:00 PM Thurs., May 18th at Souderton Mennonite Home, 207 W Summit St., Souderton.  An additional visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 Fri., May 19th, followed by a service at 11:00 AM at Swamp Mennonite Church, 2125 Rosedale Rd., Quakertown.  Burial will be at Swamp Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Living Branches Foundation, c/o Souderton Mennonite Homes, Agape Fund, 274 Dock Dr., Lansdale, PA 19446 or Spruce Lake Retreat, 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18325.