Kimberly Ann (Harker) DeRuyter

She was born on January 4, 1967 in East Liverpool, Ohio, the daughter of the late Howard G. and Linda K. (Raffle) Harker. (Her father died three days before her and mother died July 21, 2020.)

She was a lifetime resident of the area and a 1985 graduate of Southern Local High School. Her primary career focus was centered around her love for children and serving in roles that would provide care and assistance to them. This spanned from her beginning role in babysitting to becoming a bus driver for Robert Bycroft School and most recently serving in the role of a Unit Support Worker for Columbiana County Children Services. She had also been previously employed by Summitville Tile and Carriage Hill Foods.

Kim was a true fierce advocate for children and stood up for the rights of children. This was natural for her with her own children and extended to other children that were in her care. All that came to know her knew not to dare cross her when it came to taking care of the children she encountered.

She had several things that gave her pleasure. Her family brought the most pleasure to her – spending time with them; attending events with them; cooking for gatherings; going on trips to parks, zoos and especially traveling to Disney; and taking family members on golf cart rides over the property. Another activity that gave her pleasure was being an avid bargain hunter both in store and online. This allowed her to dress and wear the most popular fashions as well as find great gifts for her family and friends. Most of her purchases would find themselves ending up as gifts for her daughters and her grandchildren.

She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother and (Nana) grandmother. In addition, her generosity and the many charitable things she did to help others (which all came naturally for her because of her loving heart) will never be forgotten.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory the love of her life of 32 years, Montgomery Joseph DeRuyter, children: Nicole (Quinten Deal) DeRuyter of Salineville and Amanda (Preston) Fillman of Lisbon, brother Mark (Amy) Harker of Mentor, and 2.9 grandchildren: Maverick and Oliver Deal and one more grandson due any day.

She will be laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery in Salineville, Ohio.

Arrangements by the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem.

5/4/22