Melvern Rupp

Melvern Sam Rupp, 83, of Perry, Oklahoma, was the son of Henry Jacob and Marie Emilia Rilling Rupp. He was born on January 21, 1929 on a farm near Lucien, Oklahoma and died Friday, April 27, 2012 at Perry Memorial Hospital. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1946. Sam then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma AM in Stillwater, Oklahoma then a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University and on to complete his PhD from Washington State University. Sam served his country in the US Army attaining the rank of Corporal. He served in the Korean War and enjoyed sharing stories about Korea and Japan with his friends and family. He received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was a member of the American Legion VFW. In 1953 Sam married his best friend Norma Jean VanBebber and to this union four children was born, Craig, Scott, Marla and Cynthia. Norma proceed Sam in death in 1991. Sam was an avid gardener, loved reading and woodworking. He enjoyed making pies especially rhubarb that he would share with his friends at the Senior Citizen Center. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Perry and enjoyed his Sunday School Class. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Perry, Oklahoma. Brother Aaron Summers will officiate. Interment is at Grace Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of BrownDugger Funeral Home. Family will receive friends on Monday, April 30, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the BrownDugger Funeral Home in Perry, Oklahoma. Memorials may be made to Wheatheart Nutrition Center or the Perry Senior Citizen Center in care of BrownDugger Funeral Home, 1010 N. 7th Street, Perry, Oklahoma 73077. Sam is survived by two sons, Craig Alan Rupp of Perry, Oklahoma and Scott Neal Rupp of Shoreview, Minnesota one daughter, Marla Ann Ruark and her husband, Kenny of Stillwater, Oklahoma one brother, Larry Rupp and his wife, Judy of Billings, Oklahoma one sister Rena Carrier and her husband, Burl of Stillwater, Oklahoma one sisterinlaw, Doris Burrage of Edmond, Oklahoma nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie Rupp one daughter, Cynthia Rupp one brother, Delmar Rupp. Online condolences may be sent to the family using the online guestbook at www.brownduggerfuneralhome.com.