Eugene “Gene” Ruppe, 83, of Litchfield, died 3:03 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care in Hillsboro.
A celebration of life will be held at Litchfield Moose Club at a later to be announced date. Burial will in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield at a later to be announced date. Litchfield Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ruppe was born May 12, 1941, in Highland, a son of Clarence Clifford and Susie Elizabeth (Reddick) Ruppe. He graduated from Greenville High School with the class of 1959. He married Lucy (Bird) Hughes, in 1961 in Greenville, and they moved to Litchfield in 1964. They had two children, Terry and Sherry, then later divorced.
Mr. Ruppe was a truck driver for Yellow Freight over 30 years before he retired on Nov. 30, 2001. He was a lifetime member (50 year plus) of the Litchfield Moose Club and a member of the Litchfield Jaycees.
He enjoyed going to auctions and yard sales, tracing family history through genealogy and relaxing, as well as boating on Lake Lou Yaeger when he had a lake lot. Mr. Ruppe loved to travel and visit other states and historical places. He loved visits and spending time with his special buddy Aiden Westbrook.
Mr. Ruppe is survived by his special friend, Agnes Cheli of Litchfield; son, Terry (Denise) Ruppe of Fulshear, TX; one granddaughter, Melissa (Phil) Moreland of O’Fallon; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Judy (Dale) Higgins of Centralia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sherry Lewey; two grandsons, Jeff and Ryan Clement; and brother, Dexter Ruppe.
Memorials may be made to Litchfield Christmas Basket Association. Please visit www.litchfieldffs.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.
