Arthur Charles Rupert, Jr.

Arthur Charles Rupert Jr. died early in the morning Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Angel Wings Assisted Living in Vernon, Apache County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. He was 74 years old.

Arthur was born on Thursday, Sept. 28, 1939 in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, Pa. to his parents, the late Arthur Charles Sr. and Hester Louise (Turner) Rupert.

Arthur was a patriotic man and loved his country. He was a United States Army veteran, serving in the military from 1957 through 1960. He moved from Pennsylvania to Fountain Hills, Arizona in 1973 when Fountain Hills was a brand new community.

In 1987, he moved to Mesa. Arthur was a skilled certified welder and also worked as a weld inspector for bridge builders, ensuring the safety of the travelers who traversed atop those bridges.

He also was a carpenter in the Mesa Public Schools repair shop and was able to use his talents making furniture for the schools. After more than 20 years of dedicated service with them, he was finally able to retire.

He and his wife, Denise, moved to Show Low Pines across from “his camp” that he loved and built, 33 years ago.

Arthur spent his life in the service of others and he truly will be missed by his family, colleagues and friends.

Arthur Charles Rupert Jr. was “A man who worked with his hands, gave with his heart and loved the Lord.” Rest in peace, dear one. Love, your family.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Denise Silvis Rupert of Vernon; two daughters, Dawn Rupert Young and her husband, Mike, of Vernon and Denene Rupert Jacobs and her husband, Charles of Mesa; two sisters, Doris A. Altmire of Fountain Hills and Elizabeth “Betty” Biers of Spring Church, Pa.; a brother, Thomas P. Rupert, and his wife, Delores, of Spring Church; four grandchildren, Charles Ethan “Chas” Jacobs, Kaley Lauren Jacobs, Hallie Elyse Young and Benjamin Michael Young.

A special memorial service for Arthur will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 17, at Mountain View Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, 7900 E. Apache Trail in Mesa.

The concluding service with military honors will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix.