Donald Charles Rupert

Donald Charles Rupert, 95, of 800 South 15th Street, Sebring, Ohio, died April 21 in the Crandall Medical Center of Copeland Oaks.

He was born to Willis and Emma Van Skiver Rupert on December 14, 1913, on the Rupert family farm outside of New Waterford. In 2004, he was predeceased by his wife of sixty-five years, Grace Moore Rupert.

Mr. Rupert is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Stephen (Jean) Nickol of Wilmington NC, Mrs. James (Doris) Frederick of Springfield, Mrs. James (Joyce) Levine of Hudson and Mrs. Edward (Kathleen) Schulz of Santa Fe, NM; a son, Mark W. (Regina) Rupert of Albuquerque, NM; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. William (Elverda) Baughman of New Waterford, Mrs. John (Frances) Beson of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Olyn (Lois) Boyle of Sebring, and one brother, W. Ralph Rupert of Columbiana. Two brothers, Raymond Rupert and Robert Rupert, preceded him in death.

After graduating from Fairfield Centralized High School in 1932, Mr. Rupert attended the College of Wooster and later transferred to The Ohio State University, where he earned a B.S. in Agriculture in 1937. Mr. Rupert instituted new methods of seed production on the Willis Rupert & Sons Farm and also brought innovations related to its Jersey dairy herd. After retirement, he and Grace moved to a ten-acre property near Columbiana, where he continued to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and trees, including Christmas trees that he enjoyed selling.

Mr. Rupert was active in a number of agricultural associations: Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society for agriculture; Farm Bureau, which awarded him a Lifetime Distinguished Service Award; the American Jersey Cattle Club; the Ohio Jersey Breeders Association, which he served as board member and treasurer; Ohio Agriculture Services, which he also served as treasurer; and advisory committees for the Columbiana County Extension Service and the Columbiana County Soil and Water Conservation District. He is an emeritus member of the Ohio Seed Improvement Association. Mr. Rupert had an active interest in education and is a past-president of the Columbiana County School Board. His organizational leadership and monetary gifts helped establish the Crestview Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. He was also involved in other community organizations, such as the New Waterford Lions Club; Fairfield Ruritan; and the Columbiana County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, for which he was treasurer. He is a past-president of the Columbiana County Historical Association and helped to establish and stock the Items of Yesteryear Museum at the county fairgrounds. Mr. Rupert was a lifelong member of the New Waterford Presbyterian Church, where he was at various times elder, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday school superintendent.

Mr. Rupert was an avid reader and enjoyed travelling. In 1967, he and his wife visited the Soviet Union on a People to People Farm Bureau tour. Another highlight trip was rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, a trip he took multiple times with his children and grandchildren, most recently twelve years ago. Late in his life Mr. Rupert worked on writing projects, including material for the historical association, a travel article published in the Farm & Dairy, and personal projects for his family. His writings are evidence of a very insightful mind and active involvement in his family, as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

The Rev. Jan Douglass will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th at the New Waterford Presbyterian Church. Family will receive friends after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Waterford Presbyterian Church or to the Crestview Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Elwood Woolman, Guidance Office, Crestview High School, 44100 Crestview Road, Columbiana, OH 44408. Arrangements by Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana, OH.