Philip J. Ruff, 90, of Dubuque passed away Friday, June 7, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2019 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1425 Iowa St.  Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum, Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Military rites will be accorded.  Friends and family may call from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Road, Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 1 p.m.

Philip was born May 2, 1929, in Dubuque, son of Charles H. and Alma K. (Stecklein) Ruff.  He was the sixth child of eleven children. Phil attended Sacred Heart grade school and graduated from Loras Academy. Phil served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. Thirteen months in Korea and for 10 of those months he was in combat.

After marrying Shirley Waldbillig on July 16, 1955 they would be blessed with nine children. Phil attended Barber College and graduated in April 1959. Phil’s family always came first, working long hours to provide for them. Phil would barber for 45 years while also working at Flexsteel for 18 years. Phil enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching sports; whether it was his kids, grandchildren or even on T.V. He loved a good game.  Phil loved to travel with his family; visiting places he thought he would never see.  Phil was blessed with the gift of gab, and people loved to hear his stories. He enjoyed a good conversation with family, friends and his customers. Phil’s faith was very important to him, always making it a priority to go to daily Mass, and spending many hours at the Power of Prayer. In his later years, he loved to watch Eternal Word on television.  Phil was a long time member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #6.

Surviving is his wife Shirley, his children, Thomas Ruff, Maria (Kevin J.) Kruser, Terrence Ruff (Jill Fondell), and Michael Ruff, all of Dubuque, Rhonda (Steve) Balk, of Clive, IA, Deborah Dolezal, of West Bend, WI, Julie (Brian) Trentz, of Bettendorf, IA, Eric (Stacey) Ruff, of Bettendorf, IA, and Christopher (Deb) Ruff, of Marion, IA;  15 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; siblings Elaine Rapp of Dubuque, Wilma (Jack) Derks of Mesa, AZ and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two granddaughters; a grandson; and his siblings, Harold, Carl “Whitey”, Virginia, Jeanette, Chester “Chet”, Donald, Alma Mae, and Wayne.

Memorials may be given to Saint Patrick’s Church or Power of Prayer.

We would like to give a special thanks to Dr. John Whalen for his care to Phil throughout the years.

Online condolences may be made for the family at hskfh.com.