Rufus Duprey

VAN WERT, Ohio - Rufus Hiller Duprey, 97, of State Road, Van Wert, died Nov. 22, 2011, at his residence.

He was born at the State Road family residence to Ellsworth and Margaret (Hiller) Duprey on Oct. 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 January, 1943, at Ft. 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 on June 10, 1946. She died in 1966. On March 6, 1970, he married Ruth Herring Smith 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 Associations, the U.S. Trotting Association and the Indiana Horse Association. He owned horses that raced in venues throughout Ohio and Indiana. Rufus 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, the Van Wert Garden Club, Elk's Lodge, Van Wert County Historical Society, American Legion and the Wassenberg Art Center.

He is also survived by his children, Deborah (David) Gamble of Davenport, Iowa, Steve Smith of Ney, Ohio, Nancy Jayne Smith of Van Wert, 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 Fabbrini) 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. He was preceded in death by his infant son, William Ellsworth Duprey, and his sister, Elizabeth Duprey.

Friends and family may call from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 at the funeral home. The Rev. Greg Wack and Rev. Mary Ann Tomlinson will officiate.

Preferred memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church.