Stephen J. Rupke

Woodville resident, Stephen James Rupke, 70, died on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at his home. He was born on December 7, 1942 in Fremont, OH to Alvin and Catherine (Donnels) Rupke in Gibsonburg, OH. He was married to Karen Brown in 1961 to 1977. He married Mary Jane Shull in 1985 in Gibsonburg and she survives. Stephen was a 1960 graduate of Gibsonburg High School. He was a lifelong farmer along with working at Ohio Lime in Woodville, Ohio. Stephen worked in the kilns and drove a Quarry truck until his retirement in 2000 after 35 years. Stephen enjoyed camping in Loudonville, reading the Auto Trader and spending time with his family. Surviving in addition to his wife are children, Tracy (Mike) Tille, Michael (RoAnna) Rupke, Nicole (Mark) Ketcham, Heather Jones and Jacqueline (Leon) Brandt; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Alvin Rupke as well as his aunt Almeda and uncle Edward Rupke. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg. Services will be on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.