South Ryegate, VT Jonathan John T. Ruppert, Jr., 78, of Creamery Road, died Saturday, February 22, 2014, following a period of declining health. He was born in Reading, PA, September 9, 1935, a son of Jonathan T. and Lucille (Shaw) Ruppert, Sr. Following high school, John served from June 2, 1954 to March 31, 1974 with the United States Marine Corps and Reserves and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. He also worked for twenty three years at the former East Ryegate Paper Mill as a paper tester prior to retiring. He was a member of the Groton United Methodist Church. John married Barbara A. Beckley on August 3, 1968 and she predeceased him on November 15, 1998. He was also predeceased by a brother, Bernard Ruppert. Survivors include one son, Robert Hanaford and wife Christine of South Ryegate, VT; three sisters, Mary Joan Weaver and Sarah G. Ruppert both of Lititz, PA, and Judith A. Radumpski of Reading, PA; a brother, James Ruppert of Philadelphia, PA; two nieces, three nephews, and two great nephews; and his goddaughter, Tanya Moulton and husband Scott and her family, Kaori, Ronin, Kobie, and Raiden of Woodsville, NH. Calling hours will be Friday, February 28 from 6-8 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville. A funeral service will be on Saturday, March 1 at 11 Am at Ricker Funeral Home with Pastor Candace Ricker officiating. Burial will be in Pinehurst Cemetery, South Ryegate, in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Green Mountain Pug Rescue, 283 Town Line Road, Mendon, VT 05701, www.greenmtpugrescue.com