Ruth N. "Butz" Coleman Kirchner, 80, of Chester and formerly of Arnold for more than 40 years, died of cancer May 24 at her home after a brief illness.Mrs. Kirchner was born and reared in Baltimore. During World War II she worked at Crown Can Co. in Baltimore and played in the company softball league. She was married to Ralph Avery Kirchner Jr. in 1948 and lived in Arnold until moving to Chester in 1991.She was the founder of the Mago Vista area girls' basketball and softball recreational leagues and acted as commissioner for nearly 15 years. She coached girls' softball for more than 20 years.Mrs. Kirchner was a member of the Kent Island Yacht Club. An avid Orioles fan, she collected TOPS baseball cards and Oriole memorabilia.In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Debby Halperin of Ellicott City, Eunice M. Thomas of Wachapreague, Va., and Janet F. McCabe of the Dominican Republic; one son, Ralph A. Kirchner III of Queenstown; two sisters, Rita J. Davis and Della Hughes, both of Columbia; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.Visitation is from 6 to 8 tonight and from 11 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, where services will follow at noon. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in Glen Burnie.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlantic Division Inc., 1041 Route 3 North, Building A, Gambrills MD 21054 or Hospice of Queen Anne's Inc., 423 Thompson Creek, Stevensville, MD 21666. Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com

As published in The Capital Newspaper in Annapolis, MD on 5/26/2006