Ruth Dinn

Ruth Ann Dinn, 82, passed away peacefully at home with family at her side, Friday May 16, 2025.

She was born February 21, 1943, in West Frankfort, Il. to Harley and Ruth Pearl Hall of Logan, Il.

She was the fifth of six children. She graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1960.

She was a cheerleader and was selected as Homecoming Queen her Senior year, an honor she long

argued should have gone to another classmate, though her family have always remained

unconvinced.

A few years after graduation, while working at a collection agency, Ruth Ann met the love of her

life, a client by the name of Thomas J. Dinn. Legend has it, that at their first meeting, Tom told

Ruth Ann that he was going to marry her. Ruth Ann, after having been fully apprised of his bona

fides, held him to it, and one week later they traveled to Chicago and were promptly married. Ruth

and Tom were married for more than 60 years, until his passing in October 2023. In that 60 years

Tom would refer to his wife as “Fat Hamus”, the origin and meaning of the name shall now always

remain a mystery. In 1966, the young couple welcomed their daughter, Tara Jo Dinn (Curry), who

Tom quickly nicknamed “Fat Rabbit”, a name she suffered, largely with grace, until his passing. In

1969, Ruth Ann gave birth to Thomas J. Dinn III, who, ironically, was spared fat the themed

nicknaming and was referred to only as “Boy” until well into his 30’s.

Ruth and Tom lived an eventful life, living for a time in Washington state, then California for a

decade, and then finally back home to Illinois. Here, the two built a successful business. She loved

manning the phones as much as she did the company forklift, which she drove like she did her

Cadillac, fast and without regard for human life. Ruth Ann never met a stranger and never

understood why anyone would use 10 words when 50 are clearly so much better.

In the end, Ruth Ann could not bear the separation from Tom. She visited his grave site everyday

until she could no longer physically do so. They are reunited now. She was loved greatly and will

be missed even more.

She is survived by her loving children, Tara and Tom, by her beloved younger sister Judy (Hall)

Umbreit of California, and by her five grandchildren Ryan, Catelyn, Rhiannon, Riley and Lili.

Private grave side services were held for family.

Parker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort is in charge of arrangements.