Ruth Gallagher Keilholtz, 98, formerly of Littlestown and currently of Leesburg, VA, passed peacefully from this Earth on the evening of Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Leesburg, VA.
Born in Mt. Rock, PA on May 4,1927, Ruth was the third youngest, and last living, of nine siblings born of the late Benjamin Franklin Gallagher, Sr. and Grace Wetzel Gallagher.
Ruth worked on the family farm from an early age, before becoming a seamstress, then working in the Hanover Bon Ton accounting office for over 25 years before retiring. Besides her sons, her greatest joy was her grandchildren.
In her mid-thirties, Ruth met the love of her life, Clyde Johnson Keilholtz, while out dancing with friends, and would go on to enjoy that hobby for many, many years, while also becoming an accomplished bowler. Ruth married Clyde on August 31, 1964, and settled in Littlestown, PA, raising two sons for over 59 years. Ruth was a long-time active parishioner of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Littlestown, PA.
Surviving Ruth and her late husband Clyde are her two sons, Keith Keilholtz of Ashburn, VA, and Kevin Keilholtz with his wife Andrea, of Ashburn, Virginia, and granddaughter Ashton of Ashburn, VA, and grandson Matthew with his wife Jacklyn, of Philadelphia, PA.
Ruth was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Clarence Gallagher, Catherine (Gallagher) Phillips, Paul Gallagher, Albert Gallagher, John Gallagher, Helena (Gallagher) Moore, Benjamin Gallagher, and Wilbur (Bill) Gallagher.
A viewing will begin at 9:30 AM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Little’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 34 Maple Ave., Littlestown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 29 S. Queen St., Littlestown, with Rev. Cole Mase as Celebrant. Interment following the Mass will be in Marburg Memorial Gardens, Hanover.
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