Richard Glenn Ems

FUNERAL HOME

Garden View Funeral Home, Gardens of Memory Cemetery and Mausoleum

10501 North State Road 3

Muncie, Indiana

Richard Ems Obituary

Richard Glenn (Pete) Ems, 84

HOLLAND, MI - Richard Glenn "Pete" Ems, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 24, 2015. The youngest of eight children, Pete was born to Robert and Irene (Miller) Ems on August 22, 1930 in Arapahoe, NE.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Orris, Morris, Victor, Kenneth, Harold, and Duane; and one sister, Marge.

Pete will be dearly missed by his wife of sixty-four years, Audrey (Debban) Ems. Pete and Audrey were united in marriage on December 3, 1950, and were blessed with four children, Glenn (Christina) Ems, Muncie, IN; Teresa (Robert) Lucas, Holland, MI; Rodney (Polly) Ems, Albany, IN; and Angela (Kip) Rupprecht, Carmel, IN. Pete is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Lindsay Ems; Philip (Karen) Ems; Jennifer (Tim) Schifer; Sarah (Tyler) McCoy; Katherine (Kevin) Warnock; Kyle (Kate) Ems; Julie Rupprecht; and Carol Rupprecht; his eight great-grandchildren: William, Aubrey and Aleese Warnock; Ellis and Reese Ems; Samuel and Josephine Schifer; and Shane McCoy; his sisters-in-law: Lorena Ems and Bernice Ems; and several nieces and nephews.

Pete graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1948. He was a patriot and proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Pete was especially honored to be a part of a family in which his six older brothers all served during World War II in the Army, Navy and Merchant Marines.

Following his military service, Pete returned to Nebraska and worked in road construction and for the Soil Conservation Service and Bureau of Reclamation. In 1966 he moved his family to Muncie, IN, where he was employed as Deputy County Surveyor, Assistant City Engineer, and coordinator and supervisor of projects for E & B Paving. From 1985-1994 he worked in sales and construction management at Klink Trucking, Inc., while living in Fort Wayne, IN.

After retiring, Pete and Audrey returned to Muncie, IN, to be near family. During his retirement years, Pete enjoyed working outdoors and taking care of their rural home. Just as he had been passionate about athletics as a youth, throughout his life Pete loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting and academic events. He also enjoyed volunteering as a groundskeeper at Grace Lutheran Church where, over many years, he was an active member and served as a trustee.

Pete will be forever remembered by his family as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a kind and caring man who will be deeply missed.

The family expresses gratitude to Pete's caregivers at Lakeside Vista in Holland, MI, where he lived during the late stages of his Alzheimer's disease.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2015 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Muncie, IN, with Rev. Daniel Mackey officiating.

Visitation will be one hour before the service, and a luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall. Burial with military honors will be in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, north of Muncie.

Memorial contributions may kindly be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, 610 N. Reserve St., Muncie, IN 47303; Lutheran Ministries Media - Worship for Shut-Ins, 5 Martin Luther Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Star Press on May 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Ems

10 Entries

Janet Hays

June 6, 2015

Sending sincere condolences to you, Audrey, and all your family. So sorry to hear about Pete--he was one of the "good guys". Warm wishes to all of you.

June 5, 2015

Audrey, I just learned about Pete's death
this evening from Janet Hays - from
Jeannie Vojta. Made me feel very sad.
My sympathy to you and your family. I
remember the times when you lived in Ft. Wayne and came to South Bend and we
got together for a good visit. And at'
alumni time in Holbrook. Diane

Orvin Debban

June 1, 2015

Dear Aunt Audrey and family,

My condolences for Uncle Pete passing on. I recall good memories when we had family vacations at your home in Indiana. I recall you and uncle Pete would play a game with your kids when traveling to visiting your parents, our grand parents, Arthur and Marie Debban in Arapahoe. The first to see the Arapahoe water tower won. All the best to you and your family. God Bless.

May 31, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all family members of Pete Ems. God bless all, Gloria and Richard Bunner

Myrna Ems

May 29, 2015

My uncle Pete was like an older brother to me. He very much a part of our family. I will always remember him as a kind, considerate, and genuine person. He was generous of spirit and treated everyone with interest, respect, and consideration. I am grateful to have been a part of his life.

David Ems

May 28, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Linda (Ems) Fritz

May 28, 2015

I wish to add a reflection that my mother (Lorena Ems, Pete's sister-in-law) has related to our family. Pete and Audrey called Arapahoe at various times to share news and catch up. They continued to do so after Pete's condition prevented them from traveling to Nebraska to visit. In later years, Pete would share some thoughts about how much family meant to him. It is notable that, more than once, he has said to our mother that he was pleased that she always welcomed them and that she treated him just like family. It was endearing that he would take the time to call and say how much he appreciated his brother (my dad) and my mom. That last comment really got her attention because, as she replied to Pete: "But YOU ARE FAMILY!!" And, for the record, we are real proud of it.

Virginia Puckett

May 27, 2015

Pete was a very special and kind person. He will be missed by all at the Heritage Retirement village.

Linda Fritz

May 27, 2015

Our Uncle Pete will be missed but always remain in our thoughts as an exemplary, kind soul. I felt close to Pete and Audrey and happy for their union which evolved into a wonderful family. He took pride in his family, was honorable in service to his community and country and always a devout Christian with the heart for serving. In fact, he would be the person I would hold up as the model of what a man should strive to be. With loving thoughts, prayers and condolences to his wife and children, LINDA (EMS) FRITZ

May 27, 2015

Glenn/Chris: I was saddened to read of your Dad's passing. I remember working with Pete on several projects and always respected his guidance. Hope the two of you are doing well.

Jim (Jody) McKibben - Seneca, SC

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