Don Rupe

Donald E. Rupe, 89, of Cookeville, TN, passed away Monday, February 18, 2019 at his home in Heritage Point. Born in Logansport, Indiana to John and Pauline (Carman) Rupe on April 17, 1929. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Northrop at the age of 19, who preceded him in death on January 11, 2017. He was a Designing Engineer with IBM credited with participating in the development of the unique capabilities of the ever popular Selectric I & II Model Typewriters. He began his career in Kingston, NY, but spent most of his working years in Lexington, KY before moving to Boca Raton, FL where he lived until he retired at age 57. After retiring they moved to Lake County FL. He then moved to TN after the loss of his wife. Don and Jean joined the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1955 and had been members of the Umatilla Church for the many years. Don was also a Mason. He and Jean loved to travel, he enjoyed reading, working in his yard, and listening to a wide variety of music. He loved dogs and hated snakes. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael and his daughter-in law Noni. He is survived by: his son, Larry E. Rupe, (Sharon) Cookeville, TN; daughter, Susan E. Sanders, (Wayne)Fruitland Park, FL; 8 grandchildren: Michelle Diminich, Charleston, SC; David (Lindsay) Rupe, Port St Lucie, FL; Christianna Dunbar, VA Beach, VA; Deborah Rupe (Jeff) Jiga, Rexford, NY: Hali Moore, England; Trevor Pridgeon , Cookville, TN, 15 great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in-law Kenneth Northrop and was preceded by brother-in-laws George Northrop and Robert Ray Northrop. Services will be held at Umatilla Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 4:00 PM. Entombment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Eustis. Memorial donations may be made to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. https://donations.adra.org/donate Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Local arrangements provided by Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. (931)526-6111