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Ruth Mona Gentry, age 77 of Hamilton, Indiana since 1950, passed away early Tuesday morning, May 13, 2008 at her residence. Ruth was bookkeeper with Yoder Ford in Garrett, Indiana for 42 years. In her youth, Ruth played professional baseball for the St. Boniface Athletics in Canada. The Chicago Colleens drafted her in 1950 where she played for one year. She then played for the South Bend Blue Sox, the Battle Creek and Muskegon Belles. She was inducted into the American Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 1988. She was inducted into the Canadian Professional Baseball Hall of Fame on June 4, 1998 and also the Manitoba Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. She was also a member of the Hamilton Fish & Game Club where she served as treasurer for over 30 years. She also was a former member of the Canadian Legion..

Born August 25, 1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she was the daughter of Albert J. & Nellie M. (Walters) Middleton. She married Gerald "Jerry" Gentry on October 13, 1972, and he preceded her in death on August 1, 1973.

Surviving are Ruth's two brothers, Albert R. Middleton of Alberta Beach, Alberta, Canada, and William C. and wife Mary Middleton of Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada, along with several nieces, nephews and her special companion, Pooh-Bear. She was preceded in death by her best friend and co-professional player Naomi "Sally" Meir.

Funeral services for Ruth Gentry will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home & Crematory in Hamilton, Indiana with Rev. Eric Stoops officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Wednesday, beginning at 12:00 noon.

Memorial contributions to honor Ruth's life may be given to the Hamilton Fish & Game Club or the American Cancer Society, or Parkview Home Health and Hospice 1836 Ida Red Road, Kendallville, Indiana 46755.