Ilene Ruelle's Obituary
Ilene Ruelle, age 81 (and 11 months) of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Madison Heights, Michigan for the last year passed away on January 26, 2025 at Corewell Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. She was born on February 22, 1943 in Akron, Ohio.
Beloved Wife of the late Franklin “Ralph” Ruelle who passed on April 23, 2020. They were married on August 8, 1981 at their Troy home. Beloved Mother of Penny (John) Borts, Kenny (Becky) Capps, Lonny (John) McKeown and Thomas (Karlyann) Ruelle. Stepmother of Debbie Grant, Dee (Debbie) Ruelle, Joe (Diane) Ruelle, Cindy (Dave) Johnson, Melissa (Rick) Nichols and Jerry (Julie) Nichols. Grandmother of Michael (Allison) Borts, Ashley Borts, Matthew Borts, Scott (Kourtney) Borts, John (Ashleigh) McKeown, Brenden Capps (U. S. Army Medic), Shawn Roberts (U. S. Army MP), Hannah Roberts, Emily Ruelle and Parker Ruelle. Step Grandmother of Leslie (Vince) Pollick, Corey Grant, AJ Grant, Jessica Nichols, Amber Nichols, Curtis Nichols, Joey Ruelle, Jeremy Ruelle, Sadie Johnson and DJ Johnson. Great-Grandmother of Bryley Vendzuh, Lakelyn Borts, Eden Draving and Baby McKeown (due April 2025). Step Great-Grandmother of Lauren Pollick, Ethan Pollick, Emily Ruelle, Baby Summer (Johnson), Colton Johnson and Amelia Johnson. Godmother of Amber Miller-Ables. Sister of Helen (Bo) Lilly, Douglas (Gayle) Vickers, Curtis (Lucia) Vickers, Evelyn (James) Miller, Barbara Vickers and Patricia Vickers.
She is predeceased by her parents, Buelah and Joseph Vickers.
Ilene help to raise 9+ nieces & nephews. She loved her teacup Yorkie “Zoey” and brushed her daily. She worked for 27+ years for Beaver Precision/Aero Space, Troy, Michigan assembling landing gear for planes. This is where she met her husband of 39 years of marriage, Ralph Ruelle.
Ilene enjoyed going anywhere including camping with her Children and grandkids. Also traveled to visit family. She was always the 1st to invite family and friends to share a meal.
She enjoyed her hobbies, which include working in her yard gardening, tending to her Koi Pond and fighting off the cranes from eating her fish. She loved to shop whether it was retail, flea market or a garage sale. A sub sale was a bonus!
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30th from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Friday, January 31st from 9:00 am until the Prayer Service at 11:00 am at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 31145 John R. Road, (1 block N. of 13 Mile Road, west side of John R. Road), Madison Heights, Michigan. Burial will be at Van Hoosen Jones Stoney Creek Cemetery, Rochester Hills, Michigan.
In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association.
What’s your fondest memory of Ilene?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ilene?
Share a story where Ilene's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ilene you’ll never forget.
How did Ilene make you smile?