Lester Ruppel

Lester Walter "Les" Ruppel, 91, of Jackson, passed away Monday, December 11, 2017, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born September 20, 1926, in Friedheim, Missouri, to Walter and Annie Sauer Ruppel. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim. He and Mildred Lohmann were married July 26, 1948. They had been married 34 years when Mildred passed away September 21, 1982.

Lester graduated from Perryville High School as the salutatorian and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served honorably during WW II. Due to high test scores, he was sent to the navy's Advanced Electronic Training Program and was later called up for the Korean War, serving aboard on the U.S.S. Pine Island.

Upon returning home, he worked for Leimer Equipment in Jackson and Schneider Equipment in Cape Girardeau. In 1955, he became co-owner of a car dealership in Jackson that became Ruppel Auto Service in 1962. Lester's son, Mike, operates the business today.

Lester was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, formerly serving as an elder, treasurer, and president of the congregation. He was also a former president and treasurer of the Optimist Club of Jackson and a member of the Jackson Jaycees.

He enjoyed fishing, working crossword and Sudoku puzzles, was an avid and knowledgeable birdwatcher, and doted on his grand and great-grandchildren.

Loving survivors include two children, Lana (Alan) Wills of Jackson, Mike (Teresa) Ruppel of Jackson; four grandchildren, Morgan and Garrett Ruppel, Rachel Phillips (Ryan Olshavsky), Spencer (Suzanne) Wills; four great-grandchildren, Oliver Olshavsky, and Lainey, Lillian, and Lucy Wills; a sister-in-law, Wilma (the late Harlan) Ruppel; a brother-in-law, Clifford (the late Erma Jean) Thomas; and many loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; a sister, Viola (Tom) Anderson; and two brothers, Harlan Ruppel and Percy (Evelyn) Ruppel; a young sister, Alma Ruppel; two brothers-in-law, Wilbert "Wib" (Anna Dean) Lohman, Virgil (Marjorie) Lohman; and two sisters-in-law, Stella (Cletus) Hahs, Lydia (Elvertis) Wills.

Visitation is Wednesday, December 13, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m., in Chapel A of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral is Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. Joshua Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Walter Keisker Endowment Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church or Lutheran World Relief.