Eva M. Rupe

Eva M. Rupe, 72, died early Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Bucyrus Community Hospital where she was being cared for after years of failing health.

She was born in Portsmouth on February 19, 1951 to the late Selby and Alma (Lane) Goddard. As the oldest girl in a large family, she took on the role of caretaker early in life and enjoyed creating ball fields in the yard to play. While living in Michigan and managing an apartment building, one of the tenants, Hank Rupe, caught her eye and they were married on July 6, 1982. The Rupes eventually made their way to the Bucyrus-Nevada area where they raised their family.

Eva was a great mom and provider who saw that everyone was loved. While she did work in various stores and motels, her favorite role was taking good care of her home and family. Eva was very particular about keeping a neat house and loved to sing her favorite country and gospel songs. She was fueled all day by coffee and occasionally say down to watch her television which was always on the TLC channel. Her skill in the kitchen was second to none and many of the recipes her mother shared were still family favorites. As her parents were Masonic and OES members, she chose to join the Order of the Eastern Star and was active in the organization and Warpole Chapter #366 over the years. Her love for Hank was inseparable.

Eva is survived by her husband of 40 years, Hank Rupe; children, Donald (Juanita) Diener, Rebecca (Brad) Kummerer, Rachel (Luke) Harrington, and Stacy Rupe; 20 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; siblings, Charlie, Joe, Mary, Carl, and Tammy Goddard; and many extended family members. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter, Janell Diener; 3 grandchildren; and siblings, John, Jeff, Michael, Tina, and Carol Goddard.

Services for Eva will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at Wise Funeral Service. Family will receive friends from 11 am until 12 Noon, at which time, Order of the Eastern Star Rites will be held before proceeding to Oakwood Cemetery for Eva’s burial.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to be made payable to OES Warpole Chapter #366 and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Eva’s Tribute Wall.