Beth Zappella, age 60, of Imlay City, MI died Thursday, December 22, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family. BethAnn Alvera Ruhlman was born May 22, 1962 in Mt. Clemens, MI. She was the daughter of the late Anthony and the late Alvera (Kaltz) Ruhlman.
Beth lived most of her life in the Imlay City area.
She was a graduate of Imlay City High School, Class of 1980; Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and a graduate of the Grand Valley University Police Academy. While in high school and in college, she was a very talented volleyball and softball player. She married Anthony David Zappella on August 5, 1995 in Imlay City, MI.
Beth was the ISO Auditing Safety manager at Imlay City PSI (now Imlay City Plastic Molding). She worked there for nearly 30 years.
She earned an EMTS (Emergency Medical Technician Specialist License) in the mid-1990’s while working for Imlay City Ambulance Services and Lapeer Area Ambulance Service. She worked on the ambulance services until 2021. Beth was a selfless individual; caring for family, friends, neighbors, and even for those she didn’t know. She was great Tigers fan, loved her family (especially the grandchildren), and enjoyed baking.
Beth is survived by her husband, Tony Zappella; daughters, Chelsey Zappella of Dryden, MI, Heather (Rick) Guerrero of Imlay City, MI and Nicola Mason of Imlay City, MI; her sister, Dolores ‘Do’ (Bob) Van Den Berg of Imlay City, MI; brothers, Pat (Carol) Ruhlman of New Haven, MI, Jerry (April) Ruhlman of Imlay City, MI and Vince (Lori) Ruhlman of Englewood, FL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Brittany Mason, Kyle Mason, Miranda Mason, Marcus (Darrien) Aguinaga, Ricky Guerrero, Tiffany Guerrero, Ty Guerrero; her brothers-in-law, Jeff Siegler of Imlay City, MI and Richard (Kelley) Zappella of Rochester, MI; and great-grandchildren, Nova, Xavier, Evie.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Alvera (Kaltz) Ruhlman; parents-in-law, Richard and Gloria Zappella; her sister, MaryAnn Siegler; brother, Charles ‘Chuck’ Ruhlman; and sister-in-law, Judy Ruhlman.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Imlay City.
The family is available for visitation from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, December 28 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, 315 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
Please be sure to sign the online register book at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences with the Zappella and Ruhlman families.
