Pastor Dane Ruff

Beloved Pastor and Interstate Missionary lrria “Dane” Ruff went home to be with the Lord on September 4, 2026, at the age of 92, in Dardanelle, Arkansas. He was born in Witts Springs, Arkansas, on August 24, 1934, to the late William “Garland” Ruff and Thelma Ruff (Fowlkes).

Dane graduated high school in Bellefonte, Arkansas, and surrendered to preach on October 24, 1954, when he was 20 years old. His love for the Lord was the foundation of his life, followed by his love for his family, his churches, and his country. He attended Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1954 to 1960, where he married Mary Ann Munnerlyn on June 28, 1960 in the Chapel. He was an Interstate Missionary with the American Baptist Association where he established churches in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Rolla, Missouri. He drew up the blueprints for the church buildings, building them himself with the help of church members. He then went on to Pastor churches in Missouri and Arkansas.

He and his wife settled in Scranton, Arkansas, where they started a “We Pick - You Pick Farm" they named, “Cross Roads Farm”. They grew vegetables, fruit, and had a beautiful small orchard. But the main crop was the sweetest, juiciest strawberries in all of Arkansas. He grew up in a home where there was little in material wealth, but an abundance of faith, laughter, and strength. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance, lessons he passed on to his children. He loved the outdoors, gardening, and fishing, but he especially enjoyed attending family reunions, discussing where the silver mine might be, sitting at the dinner table telling stories of his past, and watching the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Ann (Munnerlyn) Ruff; daughter, Danita Fay Fallen and husband Dean of Navarre, Florida; son, Paul Dane Ruff of Desloge, Missouri; daughter Beverly Ann Brautigam and husband Kevin of Washington, Missouri; and son, Mark Allen Ruff and wife Sarah of Dardanelle, Arkansas; (11) grandchildren; and (9) great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Stephen Dane Ruff; his siblings, Chester, Tessie, Troy, Sue, Bill, and Betty; and daughter-in-law, Anita.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026, at Bethel Baptist Church, located at 701 N 5th St., Paris, AR 72855. Burial will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, located at 8507 Hwy 161, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117.

Pallbearers are Zac Fallen, Dane Brautigam, Cade Brautigam, Levi Brautigam, Christopher Ruff, and Will Ruff.

Honorary pallbearer is TJ Brown.

Special thanks and deep gratitude to TJ Brown, who was his best friend for so many years, and enjoyed gardening, fishing, and talking for hours together. Bud Inman, who was also a good friend for many years, since Dane was a pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, early on in his ministry. Lois Flood, a very dear friend of the family, who has always been there for whatever reason; driving both Dane and Mary Ann to appointments, visiting, listening, and praying with them. Bethel Baptist Church for being a special church family all these years, who did so much for him and he felt close to. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Missionary Fund @ 701 N 5th St., Paris, AR 72855, in his honor.

The family will visit with friends prior to the service starting at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, September 11th.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.