Ruth Luke

Ruth Ellen Luke (Julien, Swank), age 77, died peacefully on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Hospice Center of Raleigh in North Carolina after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Her daughter and brother were by her side.

She was born Ruth Ellen Swank in Wyandotte, Michigan on November 7, 1939 to Leo and Nellie Swank of Allen Park. She was the oldest of 3 children.

Ruth graduated from Allen Park High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from Michigan State with a teaching degree. Her teaching career began in the Trenton Public Schools and then she transferred to the Taylor Public Schools where she spent the majority of her career. She taught elementary and middle school aged children in both regular and special education. During her long career, she took time for further studies at Eastern Michigan where she received a double Masters in Education.

After the birth of Ruth’s daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Julien, from her first marriage she was for many years a very dedicated and determined single mother. On April 2, 1985, Ruth married her true love, Walter Luke, and gained a much-loved extended family.

She enjoyed fashion, gardening, cooking, music and crafts. Her exceptional creative skills including sewing, knitting, and quilting. However, Ruth’s true calling was that of a caregiver. She could reach out and connect with all types of individuals and felt a strong need to help and support others. If you needed her, she was there for you.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Nellie Swank and husband, Walter Luke.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Julien Schwab, step-children, Mike Luke and Debbie Barnosky, her brother, Donald Swank and his wife Connie, her sister, Joann Korotney and her husband Frank, four grandchildren: Alaina Schwab, Molly Barnosky Hawkins, Bryan Barnosky and Andrew Barnosky and six great-grandchildren.

Ruth will be remembered as a caring and classy lady, a talented and dedicated teacher with a wonderful smile who had the ability to connect with all those in need.

Family, friends and others touched by Ruth’s life are invited to join in a celebration of her life on Saturday, August 26 ^nd . Visitation is from 10am –12 noon at the Weise Funeral Home, at 7210 Park Avenue, Allen Park, MI 48101, 313-382-1150. A short service will be held at 12 noon at the Weise Funeral Home. Following the service, the family is hosting a luncheon from 1-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ruth’s name to an Alzheimer’s or children’s charity of your choice.