David Orlo Ruppert, 81 of Nokomis, died on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Nokomis, with an additional visitation on Wednesday, June 24, at the church, at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the funeral. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., at the church, with Pastor Chris Prumm officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Ruppert was born on Feb. 1, 1945, in Pana, the son of Orlo and Beulah (Moeller) Ruppert. He married Lenore Fricke on June 11, 1966, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Nokomis. He graduated from Nokomis High School and went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in dairy science and education from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He was a lifelong dairy farmer; he owned and operated R-Homestead Dairy in Nokomis. He previously taught ag education for seven years in Highland before returning to the family farm. He was passionate about the dairy industry and served in many roles including secretary of the Prairie Farms Board and Director of District 4, the Animal Health Board for the State of Illinois under Governor Edgar, past president of the Illinois Holstein Association, director of the National Holstein Association and was recognized by Prairie Farmer as a Master Farmer.
He was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher for many years. He was also a 4-H leader and coached multiple youth sports teams through the years.
Mr. Ruppert is survived by his wife, Lenore Ruppert of Nokomis; children, Tonya (Lloyd) Garrelts of Nokomis, Lance (Amy) Ruppert of Heyworth, Jené (Nathan) Clementz of Raymond and Lora (Marc) Hilgendorf of Nokomis; grandchildren, Shae (Alex) Cilento, Paige (Josh) Hoffmann, Chase Ruppert, Noelle Clementz, Brenley Clementz, Kenna Clementz, Hadley Clementz, Maebry Clementz, Landon Hilgendorf, Kaylee Hilgendorf and Logan Hilgendorf; siblings, Tom (Ruth) Ruppert of Seward, NE, and Christine (Dale) Anderson of Tiskilwa.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
