Betty J. Ruppel

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2019 at 5:22 pm

Betty RuppelBetty J. Ruppel, 81, of Gasport, died Nov. 21, 2019 at the Niagara Hospice House following a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 19, 1937 in Lockport, a daughter of the late Clayton and Blanche (Smith) Wakefield, and she lived in this area all of her life.

Betty was a member of the Gasport Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, for which she held numerous offices. She and her husband wintered in Florida, where she was a member of the Country Lake Ladies Club, providing holiday gifts for underserved children. Betty loved to crochet, knit, needlepoint, play bingo, garden, cook, play cards and camp. She had a seasonal campsite at Wildwood and Hartland Cove. She also enjoyed camping at Allegheny State Park and North Star Campground in Canada. Betty’s favorite holiday was Christmas, and she loved to bake Christmas cookies, make ornaments, and knit Christmas stockings for her family. She was the life of the party and loved dancing with her husband – the jitterbug was their dance. She loved spending time with her family. The greatest joy for her was her grandchildren. She lit up whenever they were near.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sons, Jeffrey Lynn Ruppel and Daniel James Ruppel; and her sister, Peggy Ann Bulmer.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, James Ruppel; daughters, Susan (Ted) Cloy and JoAnne (Matt) Frawley; grandchildren, Erin Marie Ruppel, Lynnell (Eric) Schreiber, Stephanie (Cody) Mangalsingh, Daniel (Lauren) Ruppel II, Jonathan Ruppel, Donald (Haylee) Cloy II and Vandra Ruppel; great-grandchildren, Lacey and Connor Schreiber, Cecilia Urena, Grant and Arianna Mangalsingh, Aubrey and Paytinn Cloy, Zoey and Carter Ruppel; brother, Clayton Roger Wakefield; close friends, Pat and Ike Rounds, and Mike and Mary Farina; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Mon., Nov. 25 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Sherrie Bream Funeral Home, 4521 Main St., Gasport NY 14067. Her funeral service will be held Tue., Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 4447 Central Ave., Gasport. Burial will be in Cold Springs Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport NY 14094; or to Alzheimer’s Association of WNY, 6215 Sheridan Drive Suite 100, Buffalo NY 14094.

To share a special memory of Betty, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.