Ruthanna Z. Wise, age 93, passed away peacefully at her apartment in the Colonies of Windsor Medical Center on Thursday, April 28, 2011. Ruthanna was born on October 24, 1917 in Medway, Ohio to the late Granville B. and Alma Brubaker Zeller. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1934. Ruthanna entered Wittenberg University as its youngest student and graduated at 19 in 1937. She remains Wittenberg's youngest graduate. A born teacher, Ruthanna began her career in fall of 1937 teaching senior English at Canton South High School. Her students were at most two years younger than she. She resigned in 1940 upon her marriage to Harry D. Wise. At the outbreak of World War II, she returned to the classroom again teaching English at Brilliant High School but resigned at war's end to devote herself to her family although she continued to substitute teach in the Steubenville and Wintersville School Districts. In 1958, she once again entered her own classroom, this time as a Latin teacher at Follansbee High School in Follansbee, West Virginia where she remained until 1966 when her husband was transferred to Canton. Before she left, she had built a four-year Latin program recognized as one of the nation's largest and best and received one of West Virginia's outstanding teaching awards. Upon retirement, she concluded her teaching career as a volunteer, along with her husband, in Canton City's adult literacy program at Martin School. Centered in church and community while in Steubenville, Ruthanna was a member of Second United Presbyterian Church where she taught a high school Sunday School class for many years. She was a member of the church's evening women's circle and the Steubenville YWCA. Like most women of her day, she participated in the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and United Way annual fundraising drives. An avid gardener, she also contributed to area food banks. Upon her return to Canton, Ruthanna continued her active participation in both her church and the community. She is a 45-year-member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in North Canton, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher and advisor for its high school youth group for a number of years. In addition to her active participation in both day and evening circles and Bible study groups, she also served as the church's representative and past president of Canton's Church Women United. She is a 34-year member of the Canton YWCA and the Wilderness Center. Still for Ruthanna, her family was her most important asset and source of pride. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Cynthia Wise Staudt; grandsons Adam Wise Staudt (Alexis Bruce) and Benjamin Wade Staudt (Rebecca Coneglio); three additional "special" grandchildren, Ryan M. Hollinger (Erica), Corry S. Appline (Cheryl) and Klarisa M. Gaskins. Her last years also were brightened by six great-grandchildren, Whitaker Wise and Lorali Lorraine Staudt, Olivia Claire Staudt, Hailey Lynn and Brandon Lee Hollinger, and Alaina Joi Appline. A brother-in-law, Glenn David Wise (Mary) of Sylvania, Ohio also survives, along with two nephews. The family wishes to thank all of the staff at the Colonies of Windsor Medical Center for their loving care and continued devotion to Ruthanna. They also want to acknowledge the loving concern of Dr. Anne-Kathrin Wielgosz, Therese M. Joseph, and Dr. John Kandl. A memorial service for Ruthanna will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 1p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 237 West Maple Street, North Canton, 44720 with the Rev. Matthew Skolnik officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor one hour before the service. Private burial on Wednesday morning will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Northminster Presbyterian Church or the Canton YWCA.