David Austin Rupp, 85, of Moundridge, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, October 24 at Pine Village after a short illness of acute myeloid leukemia.
Dave was born in Upland, CA on April 29, 1938 to Wilson J. and Loraine (Bellatti) Rupp. At the age of two, he moved to the family farm northeast of Moundridge where he resided the remainder of his life. The farmstead was named a Century Farm. He attended Farms School until the 8th grade. He graduated from Moundridge High School in 1956.
He married Charlene Moddelmog on August 31, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Canton, KS. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. To this union two daughters were born, Kathy and Dawn.
He was a farmer and raised registered Duroc hogs. In 1979, he started Rupp Machine which he operated for 43 years. He did repair work for neighbors and did short run jobs for local companies. Dave helped organize and served on the board of Marion County RWD #4 for 35 years and did maintenance for another 10 years. He served on the McPherson County Farm Bureau Board. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Canton, where he was involved in several positions on the church council over the years including the Fellowship Hall Building Committee. He was a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League. In his younger years he enjoyed high diving and water skiing. In later years, his pastimes included reading, crosswords, and watching old television shows.
He is survived by his wife, Charlene of the home; daughter, Kathy (Clif) Heiniger, Fairview, KS., and Dawn (John)Yonke, Alma, KS.; four grandsons, Austin (Kendall) Heiniger, Fairview, Ks., Brian (Anne) Heiniger, Overland Park, KS, Cale Heiniger (Jessica Geiger), Austin, TX., and Caden Yonke, Alma, KS.; four great-grandsons, Caleb, Jackson, Simon, and Lincoln Heiniger; one great-granddaughter, Claire Heiniger and another great-grandchild due soon; brother, Ken Rupp of Camargo, IL., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law, Diane Rupp and Connie Moddelmog; brothers-in-law, Dwight Moddelmog and Robert Moddelmog; and nephew, Bo Moddelmog.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday October 30, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Canton, Kansas. Pastor Troy Slater will officiate. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Friends may call at Moundridge Funeral Home Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2 to 6 p.m., with the family present from 4 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, or Pine Village and sent in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.