Charles J. Rupert, 93, of Fort Madison passed away at 11:00 P.M. Friday August 15, 2014 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital. He was born November 21, 1920 in Quincy, Illinois to Charles J. and Celesta Mae (Dailing) Rupert Wendling. On June 29, 1947 he married Patricia Flo Latherow in Macomb, Illinois. She preceded him in death on October 6, 2012.

Charles was a 1939 graduate of Quincy High School, Quincy, Illinois, where he was very active in their athletic program. He then attended Gem City Business College in Quincy. He was a veteran of the United States Naval Air Corps serving during World War II. In 1946 he went to work for the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company. After 36 years he retired as Manager of International Operations in 1982. During this time, he traveled extensively overseas followed by more of the same as executive consultant and USA representative for the Sailor Pen Company of Tokyo, Japan, during the years 1983 - 1987. In 1953 while President of the Fort Madison Junior Chamber of Commerce, he was selected as "Fort Madison's Outstanding Young Man". He was a longtime member of the Union Presbyterian Church, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the Fort Madison Rotary Club, and the former Fort Madison Country Club. He was a former chairman of the local Red Cross, chairman of the Fort Madison Municipal Water Board Trustees, and former member of the RSVP Advisory Council, and the Fort Madison Board of Adjustment. He enjoyed being with good friends, golfing, music, especially piano and violin, and working in his yard, but most of all being with his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes on TV, both basketball and football, and also tournaments.

He is survived by one son, Craig Rupert, of Richmond, Virginia; two daughters, Ann Matthews, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Janet (husband Alex) Bassel, of St. Louis, Missouri; two grandchildren, Katie and Scott Bassel; 3 sisters, Shirley Pieper, Sandra Schaffer and Linda Scharnhorst, all of Quincy, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, father Charles, mother Celesta, stepfather Melvin "Mike", two sisters Dorothy Hanner and Betty Waterman, and three brothers, Jack, Donald, and Melvin.


The family will meet friends from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Tuesday August 19, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday August 20, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel and graveside services will be at 2:30 P.M. at the Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois. Reverend Cheryl Simpson will officiate.

To our host of family and friends - close and far away, those who are with us, and those now in our memories - you mean so much to us and we cherish each and all of you. Thank you for your love and kindness throughout our lives. We love you all.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff at Sunnybrook Assisted Living for their loving care to Charley and family, and to the house dog, Buddy, for his constant companionship. They would also like to recognize the staff at the Fort Madison Community Hospital for the excellent care and treatment they provided. A memorial has been established for the Fort Madison Elks Lodge; contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.