Marnie Ruark

Marnie Jeanne Ruark, 56, of Columbus, went to be with the Lord on August 17, 2021. She passed in the arms of her loving mother. Marnie was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on July 5, 1965 to Robert and Jeanne Pilney. She graduated from Waverly High School, and following worked as a librarian at Waverly Library. She loved to swim, and in high school she ran track. Marnie attended Ohio University, Chillicothe Branch, where she studied Business Administration. She was quite an entrepreneur, with her first experience helping her Papa Joe at his fruit stand. She also enjoyed selling Avon products, and was excellent at crafting. Her pride and joy was a quilt she designed and created which resulted in winning a blue ribbon at the Ohio State Fair. She married John, October 7, 1988 at the Waverly Nazarene Church. Marnie was always a faithful and dedicated employee. Some of her employers were Meijer, JP Morgan Chase, Sears Home Improvement, and the Kidney Foundation. Marnie has always made time for helping others. She was always helping either by listening or providing what she could for them. She made prayer shawls and blankets for those in nursing homes and those who were grieving the loss of a loved one. Marnie went to the homeless wherever they were to bring them things she made, and that they may have needed, including blankets, shawls, purses, and hand crocheted mats. Marnie was a member of Vineyard Church in Reynoldsburg. Where she was on the communion team, coffee team, working faithfully there every Sunday. Every night Marnie and her mom looked forward to their phone conversations and praying together. Marnie took pride in her flower garden being surrounded by nature, birds, and the butterflies. Marnie also always made a home for a rescue cat or two, she loved her last cat named Queenie. She will truly be missed by her friends, family, and all who she helped throughout the years. She is preceded in death by her grandparents both maternal and paternal; father Robert Pilney; and son John Ruark III. Marnie is survived by husband John Ruark, Jr; mother and best friend Jeanne Phillips; step-father Thomas Phillips; son Joseph (Christine) Ragland; grandson Owen Ragland; mother-in-law Katherine Ruark; brother-in-law and sister in law James & Glenna Ruark and their children; many more extended family, friends, and her church family. Her family will receive friends on Monday, August 30, from 2-3pm, at Cotner Funeral Home, 7369 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, with her service to follow at 3pm. Officiating Pastors Richard and Linda Reiter.

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