Kalamazoo, Mich. - Ruth E. Burgess, 90, of Kalamazoo, Mich., went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, with her loving family at her side.She was born in New York, N.Y., on April 10, 1922, the daughter of John S. and Agnes J. (Carrouth) Phillipps. Ruth moved from Southbury, Conn., to the Kalamazoo area on July 1, 2004.Ruth married Hilmar P. Burgess in Yonkers, N.Y., on Sept, 6, 1947; he survives.She is also survived by her daughter, Gail E. (Kenneth) Bowman of Traverse City, Mich.; a son, Roger J. (Janet) Burgess of Wheaton, Ill.; three grandchildren, Sarah Bowman, Andrew and Elizabeth Burgess; a sister, Lois (Lester) Frye; a sister-in-law, Eunice Slighly; and a brother-in-law, Paul Burgess.Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Muriel Mewha.Ruth was a faithful member of the Groton Bible Chapel in Groton. She was active in the children's AWANA program, and she built her very own Colonial Williamsburg doll house.At the request of the family, a memorial service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, in the Kiva at Friendship Village, 1400 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Wheaton Christian Grammar School, 1N350 North Taylor Drive, Winfield, IL 60190.Arrangements are by the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel.Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Ruth may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com