CHAPMAN – Ruth C. James, 88, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013, at The Aroostook Medical Center, Presque Isle. She was born Sept. 4, 1924, in Mars Hill, the daughter of Edward and Charlotte (Reese) Cheney.

She taught school at the one-room Hodgdon School, Chapman. Once her children were raised she worked as the children’s librarian at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, Presque Isle, and then spent 17 years as librarian at Skyway Middle School. She also liked to read and knit. Ruth was an active member of Presque Isle Congregational Church.

She is survived by a son, Larry James and his wife, Jane, of Chapman; two daughters and their husbands, Carol and John Kearney of Lake George, N.Y., and Susan and David Tompkins of Presque Isle; six grandchildren, Kelly Kearney Deitz, Kyle Kearney, Heather Tompkins, Amy James Polyot, Kimberly Tompkins Yeo and Benjamin James; and four great-grandchildren. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Harold, in 1998; a son, Richard James; three brothers and two sisters.

There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Presque Isle Congregational Church with the Rev. Tim Stohlberg officiating. Spring interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to Presque Isle Congregational Church, 29 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.