Obituary of Ruth Miller Shust

Ruth M. (Miller) Shust, 101, of Clinton, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on March 30, 2025. 

Ruth was a beloved wife to the late Joseph Shust. She was a loving mother to Lori Bahuk and her husband Pete, Debbie Herold and her husband Charlie, and John Shust and his wife Suzanne. She was an adored grandmother to Jason Spaulding, Jed Bahuk, Jamie Wisner (John), Caitlin Haddock (Rondell), Michael Herold (Lexi), Joseph Shust (Alissa), and Daniel Shust (Missy.)   Ruth leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great, great-grandchild, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her two sisters, Marjorie Kennedy and Shirley B. Haussmann.  

Ruth was born in Elizabeth, NJ on May 9, 1923, to Margaret (Samer) Miller and John Miller. She grew up in a loving home with her two sisters, known as “The Miller Girls”.  She attended Battin High School, graduating in 1941, and then went on to Borough’s Business School.  She then worked in Payroll for Bethlehem Steel Company in Staten Island, NY, until enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a Wave in 1944, during World War II, to help in the war cause. Upon returning from her years of service in the Navy, Ruth returned to the workforce, got married, raised three children, and worked for a Neurologist Group, from which she ultimately retired. After retiring, she and her husband moved to Whiting, NJ, where they enjoyed loving the beach, exploring the lighthouses, walking the boardwalks and lakes, and socializing with friends in their neighborhood. She later moved to Clinton NJ in 1998.   

She was a wonderful homemaker to her kids and will be fondly remembered for being an avid reader, an excellent seamstress and knitter, and making the best roast beef dinners. She had a passion for math, numbers, and problem-solving, and continued to exercise her mind into her later years by working on puzzles such as crosswords and her favorite, cryptograms. Ruth was a lifelong Lutheran attending St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, NJ, and most recently a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Flemington, NJ. Her family, and especially her grandchildren, will remember her as being accomplished, humble, faithful, and a great listener. She was the glue holding everyone together and the rock that kept everyone grounded. Ruth’s fondest times were those spent on holidays, and many celebrations surrounded by her family, especially all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM, immediately followed by a memorial service lead by Pastor Bob Mueller. Interment will be graveside at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd., Wrightstown, NJ on Wednesday, April 9th at 10:30 AM, with a repast to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s name may be made to, The Military Women’s Memorial. Please Click Here to Donate