Robert Lee Rupert

Robert Lee Rupert, 84, of Galesburg, died at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Heartland Health Care, Galesburg. Bob was born November 1, 1930 in Clinton, Iowa the son of LeRoy and Nellie Bradshaw Rupert.  He married Helen C. Lehne on July 31, 1952 in Mt. Sterling.  Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen of Galesburg; two sons, John (Dorene) Rupert of Port Charlotte, FL and Ron (Esther) Rupert of Indianapolis, IN; one daughter, Becki Byron of Galesburg; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Carl, Paul, and Richard; one sister, Helen Swanson; and one son in law, Mark Byron. Bob worked for 40 ½ years in the Machine Shop at Butler Mfg., retiring on January 1, 1991.  He was a Cpl in the US Army from February 11, 1952 to February 4, 1954.  He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church; the Knox County Right to Life, enjoyed woodworking and listening to country music.  He also enjoyed singing.   Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg.  Rev. William T. Miller, IC will officiate.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Galesburg.  The rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.  Visitation will follow from 5 to 7 p.m.  Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church or to the Women's Pregnancy Center.