Ruth Ann Hickman, age 77, of Salem, IL, passed away at 11:13 pm, on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at SSM Health Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Ruth was born Tuesday, March 12, 1940 in Centralia, the daughter of the late Granville Bullard and the late Naomi (Wingo) Bullard.

She was employed by St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Centralia as an operating tech nurse.  She was a member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Salem.

Ruth is survived by sons, Tom (Ellen) Fortman of Kinmundy, Tim Fortman of Herrin, IL, and Nathan (Mary) Fortman of Centralia; daughters, Barbara Fortman of Salem and Nora (Steve) Daugherty of Kinmundy; brother, Granville "Bud" (Bonnie) George Bullard, Jr. of Paducah, KY; 24 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Gerald Thomas Fortman and second husband Joe Hickman; sons, Mark Fortman and Tony Fortman.

Arrangements are entrusted to Neal Funeral Home of Kinmundy where the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Sunday, December 3, 2017.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, December 4, 2017 at the funeral home in Kinmundy.  Interment will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice and will be received at the funeral home.  Please visit www.jwnealfuneralhome.net to leave memorial tributes or to order flowers.