GRANITE CITY — Ruth E. Holtman, mother of Father Jeff Holtman of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on Sept. 18. She was born Jan. 22, 1925 in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of the late Roy and Olive (Basford) Kinman.

She married Billy Taylor Holtman on May 19, 1951 and he preceded her in death on June 14, 2002. She retired in 1989 from the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.

She was a former member of St. Mary and St. Boniface Parishes, Our Lady of the Angels Seminary Guild and St. Mary Rosary and Altar Society, all in Quincy. Most recently, she was a member of Holy Family Parish in Granite City, where she was also a member of the St. Anne Altar Society.

An avid reader, she enjoyed cooking and baking and will be remembered for the love and special times she shared with her family.

She is survived by four sons and three daughters: Ronald (Lori) Williams Jr. of Jefferson City, Mo.; Roger Williams of Phoenix, Ariz.; Father Jeff Holtman of Granite City; James Holtman of Quincy; Sandra Crane of Monroe City, Mo.; Jennifer (Ted) Hester of Collinsville; and Julie Hadler of LaSalle. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Catherine and Ben Reuschel of Quincy and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by twin brothers, Clyde and Cloyd Pulliam and a sister, Virginia Huber.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Family Church in Granite City with Father Holtman as celebrant with other priests concelebrating. Irwin Chapel Funeral Home in Glen Carbon was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Quincy.

Masses or memorials can be made to Holy Family Church or Holy Family School in Granite City.