Raymond F. "Ruppi" Ruplinger, 78, of the Town of Wayne, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Kathy Hospice in the town of Polk.
He was born on March 5, 1937, in the Town of Wayne, the son of Joseph and Alma (Weiland) Ruplinger, and on May 2, 1959, he was united in marriage to RoseMary Hawig at St. Bridgets Catholic Church in the Town of Wayne.
Raymond attended Kewaskum High School and served his country in the Army from 1956 to 1957. After returning from the Army Raymond found employment at Gehl Company of West Bend where he worked for the next 44 years. He also worked at the Town of Wayne Recycling Center. Raymond will be fondly remembered for his love of wine making, gardening and playing Sheepshead. He was a member of the XYZ card club, Bill Thull's polka mass choir and the Fohl-Martin American Legion Post 483 in Allenton.
Those Raymond leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, RoseMary; eight children, Fran (Doreen) Ruplinger of Campbellsport, Ed (Mary) Ruplinger of Dotyville, Andy (Rose) Ruplinger of Auburndale, Florida, Tony (Joan) Ruplinger of Campbellsport, Regina (Roger) Duley of Fond du Lac, Brian (Debbie) Ruplinger of Kimberly, Patrick (Michelle) Ruplinger of Campbellsport and Mike (Mitchele) Ruplinger of West Bend; 27 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Loraine Weyer of Lomira; three sisters-in-law, Florence (Benno) Wagner of Fond du Lac, Patricia Hawig of Wayne and Kathleen (Karl) Kannenberg of West Bend; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Hawig and Jim (Kathy) Hawig both of Wayne, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sarah Ruplinger; four brothers, Elmer (Charlotte) Ruplinger, Joseph (Helen) Ruplinger, Orville Ruplinger and Harold Ruplinger and a brother-in-law, Alphonse Weyer.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Raymond will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at St. Kilian Catholic Church in St. Kilian. Father Neil Zinthefer will officiate with cremation to follow. A private family burial with military honors will take place on Friday, April 3, 2015, at St. Kilian Catholic Church Cemetery.
Raymond's family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of services.
The Family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Kathy Hospice, Dr. Jella and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center in Slinger for their care of Raymond.