Garden City - Ruphell L. Pilcher, 94, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Circle Of Life at Legacy Village in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born on August 2, 1928, in Garden City the daughter of Robert James & Ottie Florence (Martin) Craig. She married Lee R. Pilcher on May 16, 1959, in Perryton, Texas.
Ruphell graduated from Garden City High School and attended Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado before enlisting in the United States Navy. She received training on the east coast for Dispersing Clerk and was assigned to Recruit Training Command in San Diego. After her discharge in 1956 she returned to Garden City and worked at the Garden City Telegram, where she met the love of her life. They were married for 38 years. After her husband’s passing she moved to Rogers, Arkansas to live with her daughter. While in Rogers she took classes at the University of Arkansas. In Garden City she attended the First Southern Baptist Church. Her special time of the day was making breakfast while playing solitaire, watching birds and listening to the wind chimes. She enjoyed reading, adding to her coffee cup collection, working crosswords, watching Jeopardy and her family activities.
She is survived by her Son - Michael (Karen) Pilcher of Garden City. 3 Daughters - Dana Armstrong of Garden City, Liz (Ed) Brau of Lawrence and Jennie Pilcher of Rogers, Arkansas, 6 Grandchildren - Elijah Brau, Colter (Melissa) Brau, Cameron Brau, Shane (Jennifer) Armstrong, Brandi (James) Beins and Stacie (Gerry) Hahn and 19 Great-Grandchildren and numerous Nieces & Nephews who loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Son-In-Law Mike Armstrong, 5 Brothers – Martin Craig, Virgil Craig, Richard Craig, Ronnie Craig & Grover Craig and 2 Sisters - Bobbie Weber and Betty Clemann.
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at First Southern Baptist Church with Rev John Harms officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Garden City with military honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to Habitat For Humanity, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Garnand Funeral Home. 412 North 7th. Garden City, Kansas. 67846. 620-276-3219.