Nonda Surratt

HEBRON:  A reception to celebrate the life of Nonda Lou (nee Ruckman) Surratt will be held from1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Friday April 1, 2011 in The Dawes Arboretum’s Firelight Room with a Service of Remembrance at 2:30 P.M., Pastor Tom Myers presiding.

Nonda, age 56, passed away Friday, March 25, 2011 at Licking Memorial Hospital.  She was born July 22, 1954 in Newark, Ohio to her parents James V. and Marguerite (Taylor) Ruckman.  She graduated from Newark High School.  While a student she was a member of the 4H Club and the Licking County Raiders and Rough Riders.  She was also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and competed in equestrian events throughout Ohio.  Her love for animals and the outdoors were the corner stones of Nonda’s life.  She volunteered with the State of Ohio as a wildlife rehabilitator and did speaking engagements for the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association throughout the U.S. and Canada.  She was on the board of the Michigan Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.  In addition to her love of animals she was an avid outdoor photographer.

Nonda is survived by her loving husband and fellow outdoor enthusiast Donald W. Surratt; her loving mother Marguerite Miller and step-father Russell D. Miller as well as a great aunt; cousins and many friends who shared her love for animals and the outdoors.

The family request, in lieu of flowers, tributes and memorial gifts in Nonda’s name be given to Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road S.E., Newark, OH 43056; the place Nonda was so fond of and brought her peace of mind.   Several of her closest wildlife rehabilitator friends have set up a fund to collect enough to have a bench placed at Dawes in Nonda’s memory.  Please visit this page if you wish to participate.

The Surratt family requests on-line condolences via www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com and clicking obituaries/view full details/guest book entry.