Ruth Mae Rupp

Former Alaska and Mat-Su Valley resident Ruth Mae (McClure) Rupp, 94, of Decatur, Ind., died April 20, 2012.

She was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 1917, to the late William H. and Ada L. (Mosier) McClure. She married Mervin C. Rupp Aug. 31, 1941; he preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 1997.

After graduating from high school in Wren, Ohio, in 1935, she attended Fort Wayne Bible Institute, graduating in 1939 with a Bible music degree. She traveled with an evangelistic team until she married. She and her husband spent a total of 33 years in Alaska, where her husband taught school. They also worked at the former Lazy Mountain Children’s Home in the late 1950s.

While in Alaska, she was active in the Palmer Church of God. She was also a charter member of the former Decatur Missionary Church, which she and her husband helped start in 1943. She was a homemaker and active in teaching and ministering in music and Christian women’s clubs.

She is survived by daughters, Janet Gray of Lancaster, Ohio, and Debbie (Mark) Blosser of Manzini, Swaziland; sons, Roger Rupp of Soldotna and Keith Rupp of Lancaster, Ohio; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way; two step-great-grandchildren; and six step-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son-in-law Jerry B. Gray; four brothers; and three sisters.

A memorial service is at the Woodcrest Nursing Center in the Porter Auditorium at 1 p.m., May 6 with the Rev. Floyd Vieth officiating. Memorials may be made to Trans World Radio or to Cornerstone Community Church in Decatur.

Arrangements were by Haggard-Sefton and Hirschy Funeral Home in Decatur.