News Summary
The Williamsburg community remembers the contributions of Ruth Slifer Geary and Jim Joseph, both of whom passed away in October 2025. Ruth, an educator and active music enthusiast, and Jim, a community leader and business expert, left lasting legacies. Both served their community in numerous ways, and their passing has created a deep sense of loss among residents. Visitation for Ruth and Jim will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, with memorial contributions encouraged to honor their memories.
Williamsburg – The community is mourning the loss of two esteemed residents, Ruth Slifer Geary and Jim Joseph, who both passed away in October 2025. Ruth Geary, aged 75, died on October 11, while 90-year-old Jim Joseph passed away ten days later on October 21.
Ruth Slifer Geary
Ruth Geary was born in Suffern, NY, but grew up in Ramsey, NJ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald K. and Ruth Z. Slifer, and her sister, Barbara Slifer. An accomplished athlete in her youth, Ruth participated in various sports including softball, cheerleading, and church league basketball. She graduated from Ramsey High School before continuing her education at the University of Missouri for her undergraduate studies. She later earned a Master of Arts in Education from St. Peter’s College in New Jersey.
Before retiring, Ruth taught at Garfield Middle School for many years and lived in Glen Rock, NJ, for over two decades. After retirement, she relocated to Virginia. Ruth’s passion for music was evident throughout her life; she was actively involved in church choirs and founded a vocal group named Brothers in Song, which performed throughout Northern New Jersey. Most recently, she sang at St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
Ruth was a dedicated mother who traveled extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Ireland to support her daughter, Erin, during Irish dance competitions. Her love for animals was equally strong, as she volunteered for various rescue organizations, fostering pets and helping them find forever homes.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Erin Elizabeth Geary, and her fiancé, Christopher Lundy. She is also survived by her brother, Donald J. Slifer, his wife, Jackie, and their son, Shaun. Visitation for Ruth will take place on October 24 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the ASPCA or similar animal organizations.
Jim Joseph
Jim Joseph, born in Niagara Falls, NY, in 1935, was the eldest of four siblings born to James and Helen Joseph. He graduated from Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY, where he met his future wife, the late Marjorie Castle Joseph. The couple raised two children, Lynn Joseph and Jim Joseph, in Syracuse, NY, before moving to Williamsburg.
Jim played a pivotal role in enhancing the local community, notably through his involvement with the Richmond Hill Homeowners Association, serving multiple terms as president. He was also a charter member of the Neighborhood Council of Williamsburg, established in 2001. His contributions to the community earned him the City of Williamsburg’s inaugural Mace Bearer’s Award in 2022, recognizing his lasting and positive impact.
From 2007 to 2012, Jim served on the City of Williamsburg Planning Commission, and he was active with the Cedar Grove Historical Society, displaying his commitment to preserving local history. Professionally, Jim was an expert in industrial liquid filtration, especially concerning metalworking coolants. He founded Joseph Marketing, providing consulting services to major companies and making significant contributions to trade publications, including authoring books and developing advanced filtration systems such as the Cross Flow Filter.
Jim is survived by his children, Lynn Joseph and Jim Joseph (who is married to Christopher Warns), along with his grandchildren, Alicia Joseph (married to Adam Navarro) and JP Joseph. He also leaves behind one great-grandchild, Noah Navarro. Visitation for Jim will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home on October 23 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a funeral service on October 24 at 11:00 AM, with a reception following the service.
The loss of Ruth Geary and Jim Joseph has left a significant void in the Williamsburg community, where their contributions and passion for life touched many.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: James Joseph
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Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
