Teen taken too soon

Ruble Remembered



Shannon Ruble

Shannon Ruble

“This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do,” said Tom Ruble, at the Sept. 1 memorial service for his daughter, Shannon Ruble. Her family and friends, whom included many students and staff members from Jourdanton ISD, turned out to mourn the loss of the spunky 19-year old with a beautiful smile.

Ruble was a 2012 honor graduate from Jourdanton High School. She was a member of the award-winning colorguard team, which advanced to state and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

“As you struggle with your own pain,” said her father,” remember the goodness that was Shannon.”

Mr. Ruble said he will always remember her sharp wit, sense of style, her smile and their endless “I love you more” debates. Ruble said he was blessed to be lucky enough to have Shannon come into his life as a baby.

The song “My Immortal” by Evanescence was the first song to be played, along with Phil Collins’ “You’ll be in My Heart” from the Tarzan soundtrack, which Shannon loved.

Her older sister Victoria “I will always remember her sense of humor and her care-free spirit, taken way too soon.”

One of her former teachers, Mr. Robert Chaney said that Shannon gave everyone a beautiful gift. He described her as kind, gentle, happy and friendly. She treated everyone with respect, regardless of their social status. Chaney said when he ate at Chili’s restaurant where she worked, Shannon would always serve him. They would talk about many things and Shannon glowed with excitement whenever she talked about her plans.

“Her conversations were a gift for me,” said Chaney.

Among Shannon’s traits Chaney said he will always remember were her laugh, good character and beautiful soul.

Ruble’s Navy recruiter also shared the first time he met Shannon at school. She expressed her interest in the Navy and they kept in contact. At the end of the school year, Shannon said she was ready and one week later, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

“I just knew she was an awesome girl,” said her recruiter. “Unfortunately, she was taken from us. We don’t like to ever see this happen.”

As he presented a folded American flag to her parents he told them, “You will always be a part of our hearts.”

The service ended with the song “Drops of Jupiter” by the band Train.

“Shannon was a great student to work with in the colorguard program,” said Jourdanton High School teacher Nathan Flynt and Colorguard Director. “I appreciated her sense of style and her work ethic. She was always one who wanted to be perfect in her performances and in her practices. She made the other kids around her smile.”

Edna Ulbrich, was another one of Shannon’s teachers at JHS. Ulbrich taught Shannon in some of her classes and was also her FCCLA advisor.

Ulbrich wrote in her funeral guestbook, “It is such a great loss. Shannon had so much promise and life ahead of her. We give thanks for the time that was shared with her. I remember her as such a nice person in class and never one to complain or cause trouble. I’m sure her friends will say that she was kind, helpful and lots of fun. She will be missed. I pray that you find comfort in the love that you shared. Love never dies. I thank God that she touched my life.”

The Senior Class of 2012, Shannon’s class, donated $400 to the Jourdanton High School Band Boosters as an honorary scholarship in her honor.

“This is something we would like to see continue from year to year,” said Jourdanton High School teacher Rene Walker.

Anyone who would like to donate any money to this organization in her honor is asked to contact the Jourdanton High School Office for information at 830-769-2350.

Shannon is survived by her parents: Tom and Jeanne Ruble of Jourdanton; sister: Victoria Ruble of Williston, N.D.; brothers: Byron Ruble of Jourdanton and Matthew Ruble of Fort Carson, Colo. She is also survived by her grandmother: Janine Wickfelder of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; maternal grandparents: Walter and Gloria Richmond of McKenna, Ill. as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.


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