The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer/Quill Publisher/Owner
Ruth Bergman celebrated her 105th birthday on Sunday, March 9th, by throwing her annual birthday party and serving cake, ice cream, nuts, mints, coffee and punch.
Her room was busy throughout the day with visitors, flowers, phone calls, cards and gifts.
Ruth, who lived in Oquawka prior to her move to the nursing home, received a bouquet of flowers from John Weir in Honolulu, a former next door neighbor in Oquawka.
She was thrilled, Margie Sells said, who visits regularly and helps care for Ruth.
She also received flowers from her great great great nieces in Arizona. She heard from friends in California, Florida, Burlington, Iowa, as well as around the area in Illinois.
Margie said that Ruth had gone through the flu this year which weakened her quite a bit, but she came through the ordeal.
Although she was celebrating in her room this year, rather than out in the social dining room, she was quick to offer cake to everyone who came to visit and thank those who came.
Ruth has some competition in age in the United States as the oldest living female was said to be Mary Christian of San Pablo, California who was born in June of 1889 making her 113.
The report also said that the oldest person in the world is 115-year-old Japanese woman, Kamato Hongo born in September of 1987.
The oldest male died last month of pneumonia at 113 in Lakeland, Florida and said coffee prolonged his life.
Pictured from left are Jane Weir of Gladstone, JoAnne Perry of Alexis, Margie and Gary Sells of Oquawka, and Peggy Williams of Macomb, a few of the many who helpe Ruth Bergman celebrate her 105th birthday.