Howard John Ruppel was born March 7, 1933 in Twin Bridges, MT and went to the Lord on November 23, 2013 at the perfect age of 80 on the day of the “Brawl of the Wild” where his Grizzlies won!
He was born to Ellen and John Ruppel in Twin Bridges. His mother passed away when he was 3 years old and he was raised by his Aunt Margaret and Uncle George Jacobson in Deer Lodge.
Howard attended grade school in Missoula and Deer Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School where he was a standout track athlete holding records for the 440 yard dash. Howard then graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in business in 1955.
His first job was with the bank in Great Falls and then an office supply business. Howard owned his own business in Home Improvement where he travelled the states of Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. He was known as a living legend in the aluminum siding business.
Howard married Joyce Mason and they had four children together, Mason, Sharon, Ruthellen and Matt. He then married Cheryl Covarrubias Holmes on January 4, 1985. Cheryl brought to their marriage three children, Dena, Art and Tom. Howard and Cheryl made their life together in Miles City, MT.
Howard enjoyed painting with pastels and oils and was quite accomplished. He loved to fish, golf and watch the Montana Grizzly football team. He travelled from Miles City to all home games and got to watch them the Saturday before he passed. Howard was an avid fisherman with an encyclopedia of knowledge of streams, lakes and reservoirs throughout the entire state of Montana. A master of rod and reel, no fish was safe! Howard was quite a history buff too.
Howard is survived by his wife Cheryl of Miles City and children, Mason (Lisa) of Seattle, Sharon (Guy) of Missoula, Ruthellen of Butte, Matt of New York , Dena (Curtis) of Belgrade Art (Kim) of Livingston and Tom of Carrolton, TX. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Madison, Haley, Eva, Kyle (Britt), Colin, Lauren, Mason, Blythe, Cheryl, Jordan, Mackenzie and Damian as well as one great-grandchild, Harriet, who he was very excited about, the daughter of Kyle and Britt of Seattle.
Howard passed away from complications of pneumonia in Miles City with all his children and wife by his side.
A family memorial service was held on November 24, 2013 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Burial and memorial service will take place in Twin Bridges at a later date.
May the legend of Howard live on in the stories you tell.
Memorials may be made to Gideons Faith Fund Program.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Klista Roberts says
Cheryl and family,
My heart breaks for you during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Ruben and June Opp says
Cheryl and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Howards passing . Our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this time and the days ahead May God bless and comfort you all
Ruben and June Opp
Keith & Barb Hoover says
Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved husband. I pray for God’s strength over you. May the Holy Spirit be your comfort durin gthis time. Hugs to you my friend
Barb
April Thompson says
Dear Cheryl and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
April
Ron & Connie Watts says
Our sincere sympathy Cheryl. What a wonderful man Howard was. He would feel good about leaving this world on the day of a Griz win!!!
Kathryn Larsen says
I was so very sorry to hear of your loss; Howard will truly be missed. My thoughts are with your family during this difficult time
Tasha says
Cheryl and Family so sorry for you loss. There are now words to help you feel better but know my payers are with you and may god lay his peaceful hand on you.
Ann Johnson says
Cheryl I’m so sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.
Sharon Wilcox says
Cheryl,
We will all miss Howard. He was always friendly and smiling. The crew at the Soup Kitchen will also miss him I am sure. He no longer has pain and can now walk the halls of Heaven in comfort.
Take care of yourself as you have lots of people who love and care about you!
Linda Wyse says
Cheryl and family; My deepest sympathy to all of you during this difficult time. He will be missed by many. Remember the good times.
Aaron Mollie Robert and MIchael Phipps says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Howard was always fun to be around. I will pray for you for peace until you meet again in Heaven!
Cheryl Fuhrman says
Cheryl so sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Ashley says
Cheryl, I am so sorry to here about your loss. Howard was such a great person. My heart goes out to you at this very difficult time.
Arlene and JDennis Corbin says
Cheryl I am so sorry for your loss
Terri & Rocky says
Cheryl, We are so sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. It was not long ago that we saw him in the shop. Know you are in our prayers and hearts at this difficult time….. Love You
Terri & Rocky
Tena Olson says
Cheryl, I’m so sorry to hear about Howard. He was a great man. I enjoyed visiting with him. I’ll always appreciate how good he was at “taking care of” Dan. He will be missed by many. May he rest in peace. Tena
Loren Skjeret says
I did business with Howard for almost 30 years, with lots of memories, I will miss him!
Thelma Beyl says
Cheryl, Jim joins me in sending our sympathy at this trying time. Although we did not know Howard well it was always nice to see him with you when we ran into you while shopping. May God be with you.
Cheryl Eichelberger says
Cheryl and Family:
I am saddened to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. I will always remember our morning breakfasts together at HRH. May God be with you and may your precious memories sustain you.
Joan Leinwand says
To Cheryl and your family,
So sad to read of Howard’s passing. Dave and I always enjoyed our visits with you both.
Your faith and family will help you through this immense grief. My condolences.
Joan
Jack and Clare Doran says
Dear Cheryl, We are so sorry for the loss of your husband. Howard and Jack had some nice visits at Albertsons. Sincerely Clare and Jack
Maureen Larson says
Dear Cheryl,
My deepest sympathies to you during this sad time. May you find peace and comfort in the memories you hold dear.
Sincerely,
Maureen
Tanna Aye says
Cheryl,
My heartfelt sympathy to you for your loss. Howard was always so nice to us at the clinic.
May your memories comfort you. I will keep you in my prayers.
J Johnson says
Dear family of Howard Ruppel – I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God give you peace and comfort through his sure promises to end even the prospect of pain, mourning and death (Revelation 21:4). At that time no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). Almighty God also promises to fulfill our desires, not just our needs (Psalms 145:16). Cherish all the happy memories of Mr. Ruppel and be further comforted by Bible promises (John 17:3).
Jane Logan Viall says
I am so sorry for loss Cheryl. You have been a faithful partner to Howard through big struggles for several years now. You will be in my prayers for peace and strength as you walk forward.
Dre and Jodi says
Sharon, Guy, Colin, and Lauren,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Sending hugs your way!!
Love,
Gianandrea and Jodi Borriello
Karen Krausz says
Cheryl,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May your many memories give you comfort.
Marshall and Gwen Haferkamp says
Cheryl, so sorry to read of Howard’s death. He would indeed be happy with the Griz’s win on Saturday. We will miss our visits at the coffee shop and Soup Kitchen. We always looked forward to visiting with both of you. Take care and we’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
mildred and david says
. Cherly
Were sorry to hear about Howard. Take care and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Grant, Dorothy & Jeff Wicks says
Thinking of you during your loss! So sorry hear about Howard. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Kyle and Brynn says
Cheryl,
I am sooo sorry to hear about Howard. Growing up around our church is where I first met you both and I will always remember those days, My grandmother had told me about Howards passing and I could not believe it, It seems like I just saw him not to long ago walking down Main street. May god bless you in this time and may the Lord stand shoulder to shoulder with Howard as they watch over you and the rest of the family now! God bless you Cheryl you are in my prayers!
Claira Bromley says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you Cheryl.
Love, Ron and Claira