Obituary of Ruth Tyler

December 10, 1938 - October 28, 2023

Ruth Ann (Osborne) Tyler-Esler, RN.  Age 84 of Taylor. 

Ruth passed away peacefully at Applewood Nursing Home on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Born December 10th, 1938 in Middlesboro, KY to the late Alfred & Pearl (Yeary) Osborne. Her family relocated to Monroe, MI when she was a child. In 1955 She fell in love and married the late Paul Tyler, Sr. 

After having 5 children, she completed her training and began work as a Nurse’s Aide at the brand-new Seaway Hospital on its opening day before moving to Riverside Osteopathic Hospital. With most of her children grown, she returned to High School at Oscar Carlson in Gibraltar, MI and obtained her diploma. Still with children at home, and working full-time, she enrolled in Monroe County Community College and obtained her nursing degree and became a Registered Nurse. She started on 3 East at ROH where she trained and learned under many skilled Nurses before transferring to her love, Emergency Nursing. During her tenure at ROH’s ER, in 1988 she was nominated for Detroit Free Press’ “Nurse of the Year” and was selected as one of ROH’s “Nurses of Excellence” that same year. She worked for over 20 years until her health made it necessary to Medically Retire in 1994. 

Ruth had a love for food and was always found cooking or baking delicious meals and goodies, most were shared with her family and work family. She could still remember for years which colleague or resident loved what baked goods she made.

Ruth’s other passion for many years was gardening. Until she was no longer able, Ruth had many flower gardens, but roses were her favorite. She also enjoyed the finer things as proven in her extensive Library of Books, Fine China, and porcelain dolls in which she had one named after each member of her family.

After their retirement, Ruth & Paul relocated to Alpena, Mi where they planned to enjoy winters and old age. Shortly after relocating, Paul passed, and Ruth was left a widow for 17 years. While in Alpena, Ruth met and became companion to the late Cmdr. Johann DeBoer (USN-Ret.), they were both very active in the local community and Alpena chapter of Habitat for Humanity until his passing. After returning to the Downriver area, she met & married Bob Esler, who she lost in July 2023 to Pancreatic Cancer.  

Ruth is preceded in Death by Husbands Paul E. Tyler & Robert E. Elser; Sisters Lillian (Coolidge) Ellison, Mary (Gerald) Laginess, Barbara (Clifford) Bryant and Brother Ray (Beulah) Osborne.

Ruth is survived by 5 children Kim (Danny) Slater, Brenda (late Jerry) Burkett, Paula (Greg) Miller, Paul (Analiza) Tyler, Jr., Rae Lynn “Charlie” (Clifford) Sommers; 18 grandchildren, Kimberly Knight, James Scott McCollum, Justin Slater, Savanna (Jason) McCann, Janet (Jeremy) Batchelor, Jessica McCollum, Nathan (Leanna) Burkett, Stephanie Mondro, Lucas Burkett, Amanda (Drew) Mulder, Christopher Tyler, Melinda Miller, Joseph (Michelle) Chevalier, Brett Chevalier, Christina (Ernest) Sloane, Angela Miller, Russell Sommers, Nikki Cunningham; and 14 great-grandchildren and many loving Nieces & Nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ruth’s favorite organizations: American Heart Association & Wyandotte Christian Academy, 221 Ford Avenue, Wyandotte, MI  48192.