Our beloved, Ruth Melnichuk (28), tragically left us on April 16, 2025. Ruth was born on September 26, 1996 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Ruth had a passion for animals. She was a devoted pet rescuer and advocate for animal welfare. She was relentless in her fight to implement an animal shelter within the city of Salem, where she recently purchased a home. Her positive and unmeasurable impact on the rescue community is indescribable. She was most proud of her 3 month long mission in which she tracked and rescued an abandoned dog who she named Finnegan. Ruth also organized and operated the PawPatrol of NJ, PA & DE (East Coast) Group on social media. Just prior to her tragic passing, she and a dear friend were within arm's reach of launching a nonprofit organization (Bully for Life Foundation) which would assist pet owners with keeping their pets in their current home(s) by providing general & medical assistance, resources, educating on bully breeds and much more. When she wasn't rescuing, Ruth loved going fishing with her fur-babies,  Dino and Lilli.

Ruth will be dearly missed by her mother Nadia Stepchenko; father Alexander Melnichuk (Tetyana); grandparents Dmitry & Anastasia Melnichuk; sister Julia Melnichuk-Acosta & nephew Hector; sister Alina Rhoads (Daniel) &  nephews Jacob and Julian; niece Sasha Melnichuk; nephew Dmitri Melnichuk; and of course her rescues Dino, Lilli and Lana. Ruth is predeceased by her brother Vladislav (Vlad) Melnichuk (2024).

A funeral service will be held at Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home on Friday, April 25th, 2025 at 12:00 pm, with burial immediately following at Siloam Cemetery. Family, friends and guests are welcome to attend the viewing from 10:30 - 12:00pm, at the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.