John Allen Ruby

John Allen Ruby passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 5, 2020. He was born on October 21, 1935 to Helen and Harold Ruby from Carthage, Indiana. He graduated from Carthage High School, Purdue University, and IU School of Business. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, where he found so much joy in singing and performing with this talented group. In 1956 he was honored to appear with the Glee Club on the Ed Sullivan Show and later that year in Alaska on the Bob Hope Christmas Special.

John spent the early part of his career serving in the Indiana State Legislature representing Rush and Shelby Counties. He continued his career in State government, serving as the Executive Secretary of the Public Employees Retirement Fund and later as the Deputy State Treasurer of Indiana. After leaving state government, John spent a number of years in banking.

As a Grandfather, John enjoyed being an enthusiastic supporter of any family member whether it was on a stage, a field, ice rink, or award ceremony. He never attended a performance without flowers for the performer and a thoughtful handwritten note of congratulations.

Singing and performing were an integral part of John’s life and where he found so much joy. He was a member of the Broadway United Methodist Church Choir for over 50 years, rarely missing a Sunday service or weekday rehearsal. In recent years, in addition to singing at Broadway, he also enjoyed singing in one of the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Choirs, as well as with the Mid North Shepherd Center Singers. He was a natural on any keyboard from accordion to pipe organ and was especially proud to have conquered the keyboard of all keyboards when he learned to play the carillon and enjoyed playing the carillon for a number of years at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

John found great pleasure in contributing to the community through his volunteer involvement throughout the years in the Retired Indiana Public Employee Association (RIPEA), Indiana Bankers Association (IBA), volunteering on every election day at the polls, and as the President of the Indiana Young Democrats in his early years.

John’s family thanks the compassionate team of doctors and nurses at IU Health who cared for him these past four weeks during his surgeries and hospital stay, and those who took care of his health needs on a regular basis over the years.

John is survived by his wife Merna Mosel Ruby; brother David Ruby (Anne); son John Ruby (Jill); daughter Ellen Rogers (Scott); Grandchildren Jacob & Elise Ruby, Maddie & Emma Rogers; Nephews Jay Ruby (Elise), Jim Ruby (Tosha), Jeff Ruby (Amanda); Sister-in-law Marcia Mosel Smith, and a host of cousins and extended family.

John was preceded in death by his parents Helen and Harold Ruby, and infant granddaughter Grace Ruby Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mid North Shepherd Center Singers at North United Methodist Church by sending donation to North United Methodist Church (3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208), with Mid North Shepherd Center Singers in the memo line or to the Purdue Varsity Glee Club through the Purdue Music Organization: https://www.purdue.edu/pmo/giving/support-pmo/

Services will be private. Livestream available here: https://youtu.be/Ms78Vhi7aFg