Anna Ruth Ressler, 96, of Lebanon, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 73 years, Marlin K. Ressler.
Born in Elizabethtown, PA, on June 9, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Raymond K. and Sarah (Schaffner) Miller, and raised by her loving step-mother, Ruth Zimmerman (Longenecker) Miller, after her mother’s passing. Anna Ruth was a devoted pastor’s wife and faithfully served alongside her husband throughout their decades of ministry, offering encouragement, hospitality, and her gentle spirit to every congregation they called home. They were also missionaries in Africa for a short time. They were proudly, happily married for over 73 years until his passing in 2023.
She served as a para-educator in an elementary school, where her patience, warmth, and genuine care for children left a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike. Her love for teaching continued within the church, where she taught many Vacation Bible School classes, Good News Club, young adult, and young married couples Sunday school classes for many years. She also led numerous Bible studies — well into her 90s — guiding others in their faith with wisdom, grace, and humility.
She was known for her caring, kind, and warm personality, making friends in every church congregation she and her husband served over their years of dedicated ministry. Above all, she loved the Lord Jesus with all her heart and lived out her faith with sincerity and joy. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Surviving are her siblings, Glenn S. Miller, of Camp Hill, Naomi Sensenig, wife of LaMarr, of Denver, PA, Samuel L. Miller, husband of Kitty, of Denver, CO, James L. Miller, husband of Erma, of Elizabethtown, Ernest L. Miller, husband of Janice, of Elizabethtown, and Marian Wenger, wife of Dale, of Columbiana, OH; grandchildren, Cari Daub, wife of Brock, of Lebanon, Ira Ressler, of Canada, Zachary Ressler, of Canada, and Josie Ressler, of Canada; and great-grandchildren, Lauren Daub, Kyla Daub, and Jayden Ressler.
In addition to her husband, Anna Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter, Marlene Ruth Ressler Tussey; son, Daniel Eugene Ressler; and siblings, Elmer S. Miller, Martha Kreider, Mary Sweigart, and Orpha Miller.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at Fairland Brethren In Christ Church, 529 W. Penn Ave., Cleona, PA 17042, with a meal to follow. Inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family in Crossroads Cemetery, Elizabethtown. Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville, is overseeing arrangements.
