Maxie L. "Max" Rupert

Maxie L. "Max" Rupert Battle Creek Maxie L. "Max" Rupert, 89, U.S. Army Ret. Major, of Battle Creek, died Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Max was born December 14, 1919 in Springfield, Missouri the son of George and Gertrude (Henness) Rupert. He grew up on the family farm in Springfield. He married Maxine Williams, June 9, 1942 in Columbus, GA. They celebrated their 66th anniversary in 2008. Three months after Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for active service in the US Army. Max took pride in serving in the 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry, 45th Division, joining them on the Anzio Beachhead, thence to the capture of Rome, Amphibious Assault landing in southern France, thru Alsace-Lorraine, the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River, and the capture of Nurenburg. Two days before Germany collapsed, his Battalion captured the Dachau Concentration camp outside Munich. Following WWII he served in the U.S. Constabulary in the Occupation of Germany and then taught for three years at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, until the Korean War. In Korea he fought as a member of the 5th Regimental Combat Team. Max's awards and decorations included the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star for WWII and the Korea, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters all for valor, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, European Service Medal with six Battle Campaign Stars, Invasion Arrowhead and various other service medals. He was a graduate of both the Infantry and Signal Officers Association Advanced courses In 1963 he moved to Battle Creek and worked at the Federal Center for DLSC and DPDS where he retired in 1982 as Chief, Disposal Operations Branch. He was an avid fan of his children and grandchildren's sports activities, enjoyed fishing, reading, being out of doors, gardening and actively participated in all family activities. Max was a member of Maple United Methodist where he served on numerous boards. While living in Germany he was Superintendent of Sunday School and taught Senior High Sunday School in Tucson, AZ. Max was a member of the 157th Infantry Association, and also a Master Mason, Solomon Lodge #822 in Stuttgart, Germany Max is survived by his wife, Maxine; sons, Phillip (Beth) Rupert of Sebring, FL, Mike Rupert of Battle Creek; daughter, Donna (Steve) Blose of West Bend, WI; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; and a sister, Audrey White of Springfield, MO. At the request of the family, friends may call at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Tuesday, where they will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the funeral home with Pastor Linda Stoddard officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with Military Honors by the U.S. Army Guard. Memorials to Maple United Methodist Church or Battle Creek Veterans Administration Community Living Center would be appreciated by the family. To leave a message for the family, visit, www.farleyestesdowdle.com