Ruth H. Basner, age 76 of North Canton passed away Thursday night March 2, 2006 in Aultman Hospital. A native of North Canton she was born on September 19, 1929 to the late Roy and Esther (Chambon) Harpold. Though a member of the Class of 1947 of North Canton High School (NOCA High), she actually graduated from The Principia in St. Louis, Mo. Having the idea to write a history of North Canton, she founded The North Canton Heritage Society and published NORTH CANTON HERITAGE- VOL. 1 in 1972. Sharing local history with elementary school children, she regularly traveled to classrooms with her treasure trunk. Various organizations have had their histories written by Ruth. Always an active member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Basner also served as past-president of the local history section of the Ohio Historical Society, was a longtime trustee of the Herbert Hoover Foundation and served on the North Canton Charter Commission. She was one of the organizers of North Canton's TAP (Talk About Potential) Group. A distinguished recipient of Stark County's Top 300 People Award and of the North Canton City Schools Hall of Distinction, her accomplishments are vast. She was a member of North Canton Ladies Literary Club, Arboretum and Congress Lake Garden Clubs, Canton Women's Club, Lady Elks and Congress Lake Country Club. Preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Harpold, she is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul G; daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and David Greek of North Canton; son Jeff Basner of Canton; grandchildren, Emily and Mary Greek, Brittany and Zachary Basner; sister and brother-in-law, June and Arthur Aldritt of CA; and numerous other friends and relatives. The family will receive friends Sunday 3-5:00 PM in the Arnold Funeral Home, 1517 Market Ave.,N, Canton. A Memorial Service will be held Monday 11:00 AM in the Northminster Presbyterian Church with Interim Pastor Dean Myers officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northminster Presbyterian Church, 237 W. Maple St., North Canton, OH 44720 and to the North Canton Heritage Society, 200 Charlotte St.,NW, North Canton, OH 44720. (Arnold 330-456-7291) www.arnoldfuneralhome.com