GEORGE A. RUPPERT

BALLINGER - George A. Ruppert, 85, of Rowena, Texas, passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. George was born on Jan. 23, 1921, in Rowena, and his family moved to Lowake when he was 4. He attended St. Joseph School in Rowena for one year, Lowake School for eight years, and graduated from Paint Rock High School in 1938. In the summer of 1938, he attended Brantley Draughon College in Fort Worth for approximately two years, and in 1941 he began employment with the Texas Highway Department in Abilene and Snyder until July 1942. George volunteered for military service in July 1942 and was assigned to Third Army Headquarters in San Antonio. He later shipped out of San Francisco for an unknown destination and eventually reached Brisbane, Australia, on April 17, 1943. He served in New Guinea, Goodenough Island, Layte and Luzon in the Philippines for approximately 32 months and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on Dec. 3, 1945. In October 1946, George purchased half interest in Lowake Gin Company and operated the gin until 1950. He married Clara A. Frenzel on Jan. 8, 1947, and the couple lived in Lowake until 1951, when they moved to Rowena. His wife preceded him in death in 2002. George began employment with The First National Bank of Rowena on Nov. 27, 1950, and retired as chairman of the board on June 13, 1997. George is survived by a son, Donnie Ruppert, and his wife, Marlene of Sweetwater; a daughter, Lu Ann Moore of Rowena; and two grandsons, Brian Ruppert and his wife, Jenny, and their daughter, Leah of San Angelo, and Douglas Ruppert of Dallas. Also surviving is a sister, Isabella Drueckhammer, and her husband, Walter of Rowena; a niece, Nola Jean Wanoreck, and her husband Ed Wanoreck Jr., of Mereta; and a special friend, Lula Marecek of Rowena. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena with the Rev. Bhaskar Morugudi presiding. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Rowena. Arrangements are under the direction of Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger. If you stop and listen carefully, you can still hear George "whistling" all the way from heaven.

December 7, 2006
Adele Hirt
LuAnn, I will always cherish the memory of Las Vegas and your parents, to the memory nothing is forever lost. I love you, Adele

December 6, 2006
Anita Martinez
My thoughts and prayers are with you LuAnn, and you know I really can hear George whistling, he is really going to be taking care of us now, I love you! Hang in there love, Anita and Idget

December 6, 2006
Kristi and Lily McKenzie
Luann, you are in our hearts, We will miss George and we are here for you. Kristin Martinez and Lily McKenzie Weber