Katherine M. Rutan

Katherine M. Rutan, 76, of McClure Road, died at 8:49 p.m. July 13, 2019, at her home. Katherine was born September 5, 1942, in Columbus, the daughter of Homer and Eliza Elizabeth Partlow Purtlebaugh. She married Ralph W. Rutan November 22, 1960. She retired from Cummins Engine Company after 30 years of service. Katherine was a pastor for 29 years and an associate pastor for 15. Katherine served as pastor of Trinity Pentecostal Holiness Church and preached at revivals as a traveling evangelist. Katherine had a true love for all people. Her greatest joys in life were singing and playing music beside her husband, and watching her children serve in ministry by playing the drums, singing and playing the piano. Katherine achieved her life-long dream in 1988 traveling to Israel and singing in the empty tomb of Jesus. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Lowell General Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Lee and Bishop Bob Vance officiating. Calling will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home to help with final expenses. Survivors include her husband, Ralph W. Rutan; sons, Timothy W. (Donna) Rutan of Edinburgh and Christopher W. Rutan of Columbus and a daughter, Rallena Jean Imlay of Columbus; brothers, Arthur Purtlebaugh of Taylorsville and Ronald Purtlebaugh of Columbus; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Donald Purtlebaugh.