Rufus Hiller Duprey

Rufus Hiller Duprey, 97, of rural Van Wert, died Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at his residence.

He was born at the State Road family residence to the late Ellsworth and Margaret (Hiller) Duprey on October 17, 1914, where he lived all his life with the exception of the four years he spent serving in the U.S. Army.

He was activated in January 1943 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and served with the 224th Coast Artillery Searchlight Battalion in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II.

He married Lela M. (Kerns) Duprey on June 10, 1946, and she preceded him in death in 1966. On March 6, 1970, he married Ruth Herring (Smith) Duprey, who survives at their residence.

Mr. Duprey was a 1932 graduate of Ridge High School, where he served as class president. He was a lifetime farmer in Ridge and York townships, where he raised beef cattle. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Mr. Duprey was a lover of horses. He was a member of the Van Wert and Mercer County Harness Horsemen’s Association, the U.S. Trotting Association and the Indiana Horse Association. He owned horses that raced in venues throughout Ohio and Indiana. Rufus also enjoyed weaving rugs for family and friends.

He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, was a member of the Van Wert Garden Club, Elks Lodge 1197, Van Wert County Historical Society, American Legion Post 178 and Wassenberg Art Center.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Deborah (David) Gamble of Davenport, Iowa, Steve Smith of Ney, Nancy Jane Smith of Van Wert and  Barbara Smith of Lampasas, Texas; and his niece, Trina (Richard) Shultz of Van Wert. He was “Papa D” to grandchildren Kristen (Jeremy) Monday, Matthew (Angela Fabrini) Gamble, Meghan (Jacob) Davis, Bea Smith, Zoe Smith, Abigail (Aaron) Stancik, Elizabeth Stripe, Logan (Mary Flickinger) Schaadt; and great-grandchildren Gehrig and Thorpe Monday, Olivia and Madden Stancik and Kelsey Flickinger.

His infant son, William Ellsworth Duprey, and a sister Elizabeth Duprey, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 27, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Revs. Greg Wack and Mary Ann Tomlinson officiating.

Calling hours are from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, November 26, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Bethel United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert County.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.alspachgearhart.com.