WINTER HAVEN - Donald Benton Rupe, 71, of Winter Haven, died Saturday, January 02, 2010 at Winter Haven Hospital due to Respiratory complications from cancer.   

Born Sept. 8, 1938 in Delaware, OH to Wayne and Bernice E. Thompson Rupe, he was raised in Delaware before moving to Winter Haven in 1961.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of the Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge, and was a past member of Rotary Club.  Donald loved traveling in his motor home, fixing 3 wheel bikes and tinkering in his workshop. Most of all he loved playing with the 2 most beautiful girls in the world, his 2 granddaughters. 

Preceded in death by his father, he is survived by: his wife of 30 years, Chris Rupe; his mother, Bernice E. Rupe; 2 sons, Jeffrey Rupe and his wife Paula of Clermont, FL and Scott Rupe of Winter Haven; a daughter, Stacey Fountain and her husband Russell of Winter Haven; 2 sisters, Betty Kelly of Knoxville, TN and Barbara Smith of Dandridge,TN; and 2 grandchildren, Harli Fountain and Kathryn Rupe.   

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2009 in the Oak Ridge Funeral Care Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society.   

Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.