John Anthony Rupple

John Anthony Rupple, 81 years of age, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2025, at the UC Health Greeley hospital.

John was born November 30, 1943, in Windsor, Colorado to Adam and Mae (Gutfelder) Rupple. John was the oldest of three children. On March 31, 1968, he married Donna Mae Walter. They were married for 57 years.

John grew up outside of Platteville, CO and developed a love for farming early. In 1961 he was a member of the 1st graduating class from Valley High School. After graduating he played a bigger role on the family farm and eventually established his own farming enterprise. He farmed and ran cattle until 1986. He grew corn, potatoes, alfalfa, sugar beets, beans, watermelon, and cantaloupe. If you lived in and around Platteville in the early 80’s you likely enjoyed some of the tastiest watermelon or cantaloupe ever. In 1986 John and his family moved into the city limits of Platteville. True to the saying, “You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy”, John was known by the locals as having one of the most beautiful flower gardens in town. He took a fondness to Dahlias and at the height of his dahlia growing career, he grew over 250 plants.

John enjoyed shooting the breeze with the local farmers and ranchers while playing liar’s poker and cribbage. He was a strong supporter of all his grandkids’ athletic, FFA, and 4-H events. It wasn’t uncommon for he and Donna to travel across the state to support them. He loved being around his grandkids and loved them unconditionally despite sometimes having differences in opinions. John enjoyed fishing. He and Donna trekked across Alaska in the summer of 2008 where they experienced deep sea fishing for halibut, bass, and other bottom-feeding fish. By far, the trip to Alaska was the most memorable, and he enjoyed sharing stories of the beautiful scenery.

John dedicated 20 years and is a retiree from the Platteville-Gilcrest Volunteer Fire Department. Among other offices, he served as Chief. John is a veteran and served our country proudly serving in the 138th Air National Guard. He was a member of the Platteville Lions Club, a member of the Platteville Potato Association, a member of the Colorado Dahlia Society, an honorary chapter farmer of the Valley FFA, and an honorary state farmer of the Colorado FFA. He was a member of the American and Colorado Gelbvieh Associations and proudly received the Reserve Grand Champion award for the Pen of Five Bulls at the National Western Stock Show. John was a community-minded person. He was instrumental in reestablishing the FFA program at Valley High School and was a founding member of the Platteville Community Center. John was extremely proud to have the Rupple family named as a Centennial Farm Family by the State of Colorado.

John is survived by his wife, Donna; 3 children, Corey Rupple (Lisa), Jody Rupple (Jodee), Kim Chacon (Nick), 9 grandchildren, Rian Frye (Savannah), TaylorAnn Cantwell (Casey), Cassidy Rupple, Preston Rupple (Nicole), Payton Chacon (Felicia), Shawn Chacon (Alizabeth), Megan Culpepper, Sydnee Chacon, Tanner Rupple, and Paige Rupple, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren, 2 sisters Marilyn Rupple and Rosemary Zeschin, 3 step-siblings, Bruce Sikich, Jack Sikich, and Mary Ann Ordway, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John is preceded in death by his parents Adam and Mae Rupple, stepmother Sue Harrah, brother-in-law Jerry Zeschin, special friend Jan England, step brother-in-law Jay Ordway, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valley FFA or Platteville Pioneer Museum.