Ruth E. CLOSE, 81, of Wellsville, NY, died Tuesday, May 30, 2023 in Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, Wellsville after a long illness.  Born October 13, 1941, in Seven Bridges, Coudersport, PA, she was the daughter of Donald Robert and Pruella Edith Toombs Dunn.  

On May 19, 1962, in Whitesville, she married Elwin James “Jim” Close, who predeceased her on April 17, 2022, just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.  Ruth was a homemaker most of her life.  She and Jim owned and operated the Dill Pickle Restaurant in Wellsville for 33 years, retiring in 2008.  She was a hero to many and loved her family with her whole heart.  She was a sophisticated lady, compassionate, loving, patient, gentle, hard-working, brilliant businesswoman, painter, reader, seamstress, world traveler, and beach lover.  Ruth enjoyed making days special with spontaneous car rides and picnics.  She was a devoted woman of faith.  

Surviving are:  four children, Bradley Close of Wellsville, Lisa (Dean) Giopulos of Wellsville, Steven Close of Churchville, and Donald (Margaret) Close of Silver Creek;  eight grandchildren, Eric, Sarah, Jenna, Heather, Michael, Stephanie, Emily, and Jacob;  a great-granddaughter, Anelle;  five brothers, Donald I. (Marie) Dunn of Homer, Larry W. Dunn of Cortland, John P. (Honey) Dunn of Ulysses, PA, Robert S. Dunn of Ulysses, PA, and Roy J. (Rhonda) Dunn of Groton;  two sisters, Irene (Joseph) Brown of Culpeper, VA and Janet Button of Salt Lake City, UT;  sister-in-law, Joan Close of Warren, PA;  nieces and nephews. 

In addition to husband, she was predeceased by four sisters, Christine Dunn, Esther Vera Dunn, Carol Marie Tanner Babbitt, and Mary Evelyn Gardner;  and a brother-in-law, Donald Close. 

Funeral Services will be held privately at Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kinney.  Memorials may be made to Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, 141 E. State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.