Ruth Umbel

Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, 76, of McHenry, died on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at her home. Born on October 7, 1942, in Friendsville, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur A. and Leona (Friend) Hinebaugh.

Ruth attended Garrett College, Johns Hopkins University and Frostburg State University having attained a Master's of Education. She was a dedicated teacher with 20 years of service in Maryland schools including Garrett County, Baltimore City and Allegany County. Also, a business owner, Ruth operated the Red Run Inn for 13 years and developed the first Bed & Breakfast at Deep Creek. Ruth was a faithful member of the Sand Spring Church of God who served as treasurer, pianist and Sunday School teacher. Being civic-minded and having a great sense of community, Ruth served on many boards and organizations including the Civic Club and the Ruth Enlow Library Board.

Active in local, state and national politics since a child when, at 12 years old, she handed out Eisenhower election brochures in the streets of Friendsville, Ruth served as Chair of the Garrett County Commission for Women and was appointed to the State Women's Commission by then Governor, Martin O'Malley, served on the National Committee for the 100th Anniversary of the suffrage movement, was a member of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, was a five-time elected official in the Garrett County Republican Central Committee, and was Garrett County Salary Commission Chair. Ruth also served as the Garrett County Campaign Director for the Hogan Rutherford campaign and was appointed to the State Tourism Board. Having traveled to many states for conferences and conventions, she was twice elected as a delegate for the State of Maryland to the Republican National Convention.

Of Ruth's many accolades, she has been recognized as Republican of the Year in Allegany County as well as Republican Woman of the Year in Garrett County. She was inducted into the Garrett County Women's Hall of Fame in 2017 and had been nominated and named first runner-up for the prestigious Ronald Reagan Leadership Award.

In addition to politics, Ruth had a love of reading, music, and cooking.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Sherry Gosnell and husband Jeff, Jeffrey Umbel and wife Alicia, Jonathan Umbel; grandchildren, Jonathan Umbel, Jr., Ryan Gosnell and wife Katie, Cody Umbel, Ashley Dibler and husband Jeff, Blair Umbel, Hunter Umbel, Emily Umbel, Taylor Gosnell, Haley Umbel; great-grandchildren, Leah Grace Dibler, Abbie Dibler, and Emmett Dibler; siblings, Robert Hinebaugh, Anna Fike, and Wilbur Hinebaugh, Jr.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude and Ralph Hinebaugh.

Friends will be received at the C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland on Friday, September 27, 2019 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 10 AM at the Sand Spring Church of God, Friendsville with Pastor Dana Umbel officiating. Interment will be held in Blooming Rose Cemetery. Memorial comtributions may be directed to the Sand Spring Church of God, 1030 Fearer Road, Friendsville, MD 21531 or to the Ruth Enlow Library, 6 N 2nd St., Oakland, MD 21550.