"We lived on a farm North of the Rumppe?s. My Dad, Lester Williams, used humor as part of his parenting strategy. Whenever something was missing or broken and we kids weren?t initially ready to come clean, my Dad said, ? It must have been the guy on the hill who came down here and did it?. That figurative prankster sneaking in eating up all the treats or leaving the gas tank nearly empty became Earl. He took the blame for a lot for us kids - thank you Earl! That sense of humor was one of many attributes he & my dad shared. I remember playing bar dice, watching car racing, & many events Earl & Eileen attended with our family and the true companionship brought about from their laughter. Peace to you now Earl and sending comfort to the many people who will miss you. Jody Williams Swinehart"
In loving memory of
Earl Rumppe
July 29, 1938 - January 5, 2023
Earl Rumppe, Jr. age 84, of Mattoon, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at his home. He was born on July 29, 1938 to Earl and Crystabel (Jacobus) Rumppe in Ontario, Wisconsin.
Earl grew up on his family farm in Ontario. He left school and began a long career of truck driving at age 16. He lived in many cities and towns around Wisconsin, including Kenosha and Milwaukee. He married his first wife, Ethel Marie Downing in 1957. Together they raised three daughters and later divorced. He married Eileen Jorstad Wilhelm in 1975, gaining three stepchildren. Earl was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mattoon.
Earl is survived by his wife, Eileen; four daughters, Diane (Jerome) Weibel of Cashton, Laura (Keith) Greenwood of Elko, NV, Brenda (Sam) Hunt of Gilette, WY, and Deborah (friend Dan) Wilhelm-Brennecke of Mesa, AZ; two sons, Danny (Dianne) Wilhelm of Mattoon and Michael (Lori) Wilhelm of Antigo; 29 grandchildren, Aaron (Hallie), Travis (Allisyn), Tim (Danielle), and Michael (Cassie) Weibel, Rick (Angelina) Schlieve, Jimmy (Melissa) Paul, Doug (Jamie) Wilhelm, Dustin (Shantel) Greenwood, Shyla Baue, Tucker (Baleigh) and Taylynn Hunt, Desiree (Ryan) Mueller, Robbie, Jessica, and Josh Zeinert, Jason (Amanda) Gelhausen, Cassie (Cody) Schroder, and Breanna Brennecke.
He is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren including, Gavin, Elena, Joselyn, Leeland, Lillyanna, Cohen, Paisley, and Paxtin Weibel, Andrew and Megan Schlieve, Houston and Montana Paul, Julie, Jackie, and Jackson Wilhelm, Joey, Avery, and Seth Greenwood, Baker and Barlow Hunt, Ellie, Bently, and Silas Schroder, and Chelsea, Halie, and Paige Kurth, and Camden Gelhausen; and one great-great-granddaughter, Ellie Sales.
Earl is further survived by two brothers, Harold (Doana) of Ft. Atkinson and Frank of Kendall; two sisters, Arlene Orthune and Darlene Hanson of Ontario, and a sister-in-law, Shirley Rumppe of Tomah.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Crystabel Rumppe; brothers, Alfred and Robert; sisters, Fern Conant, Mildred Anderson, and Mertie Beier; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Rumppe and Mary Rumppe; five brothers-in-law, Max Conant, Alonzo Orthune, Gerald Hanson, Howard Anderson, and Lawrence Beier; and first wife, Marie Hartman.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 12 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Pockat officiating. Visitation will be Saturday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will take place in the spring at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the town of Hutchins.
Tributes
"My husband Lester worked on the assembly line with Earl at American Motors in Kenosha back in the 60?s. Moved to Milwaukee and then Mattoon in the 70?s. We were at the Nutshell in Phlox and Earl and Eileen came in. I had not seen him in 20 years. Had a good time together. I asked where he was living now and what he was doing up north. He was living 1/4 mile south of the farm where we were living. He loved racing so every week he would watch our son race at the speedway in Antigo and Shawano. Our families have been good friends and neighbors ever since. Earl is the best friend I ever had and I will miss him. Condolences to Eileen and all his family."
"Worked with Earl back in the 70's. Great guy !"
"Mike and Lori, Deepest sympathies for you and all of the family in your loss of Earl. "