Margaret Rukavina

Margaret Rukavina, age 94, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Carriage Court in Columbus. She was born on July 30, 1929 in Middletown to the late George and Rose Rukavina. 

Margaret (Margie) had a lifelong love of sports.  As a young woman, she briefly joined her sister Teresa Rukavina in playing baseball for the Armco Steel (AK Steel) team.  She played baseball informally too; when the kids in the neighborhood saw her car or her sister Teresa’s car drive up the street, they’d run out to the backyard, ready to play wiffle ball. First base was the crab apple tree, second base a pear tree, third base a cherry tree, and the maple tree was home plate. She’d hit, pitch, and cover bases with the rest of them.  She also loved hiking, fishing, and especially playing golf which she played into her eighties.  Later in life, she kept up with her favorite teams on television, especially the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, and many local college teams.  She never passed up a chance to play a hand of cards.  

Professionally, Margie worked for the Armco Credit Union for most of her career. She attended St. John’s Catholic School and worshiped at Holy Family Parish. She lived in her home in Middletown until 2020, when she took up residence at Carriage Court senior living facility in Columbus.

She was preceded in death by her best friend Lois Schimel, sisters Rose Catherine Rukavina, Mary Ann Johnson, Ruth Knox, Barbara Garber, Teresa Rukavina, and brothers John, Jacob, Michael, Joseph, and Matthew. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. All of these she loved and remembered with cards on their birthdays. She was loved deeply and will be missed.

A graveside funeral service will be held at Woodside Cemetery (section 21) on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Vitas Hospice care or to Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark St, Middletown, Ohio 45042.

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