Kathleen Rupert, 83

November 26, 2010

Kathleen A. Rupert, 83, of Columbia City, died at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010 at Miller’s Merry Manor.
She was born Sept. 24, 1927 in Toledo, Ohio, a daughter of Howard and Elizabeth (Gallaway) Hilyard. As an infant, her family moved to Fort Wayne. She graduated from Central High School.
In 1949 she was united in marriage to William T. Rupert. They made their home in Fort Wayne until 1953 when they moved to Whitley County, moving into Columbia City in 1989. Mr. Rupert died Dec. 18, 1992.
She worked at Whitley County Council on Aging for a couple years in the mid 1970s and was instrumental in beginning the thrift shop Stop-n-Shop, later Bargain Basement and more recently Second Time Around until its closing.
Her memberships included American Legion Post 98 Auxiliary.
Surviving relatives include three sons, Craig (Christine) Itt of Fort Wayne, Casey (Edna) Rupert of Winona Lake and Lowell “Sam” (Theresa) Rupert of Columbia City; a daughter, Laura (James) Foley of Alanson Mich.; a stepson, Dan Rupert of Tacoma Wash.; a stepdaughter, Sharon (Larry) Roberts of Nashville, Ind.; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Carolyn Parker of Columbia City; and a brother, Roger Hilyard of Fresno, Calif..
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Molly A. Rupert and Gretchen Rupert.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in South Park Annex Cemetery. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are to Passages.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.