Gerald Eugene (Gene) Rupe, 61, of Lancaster, passed away Saturday Oct. 22, 2011, at his residence.

Born Dec. 4, 1949 at Rutland, to the late Raymond Marion Rupe and Marjorie Joan (Smith) Banks, he was a mechanic working with sheet medal.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary (Downard) Rupe, Lancaster; son, William Elliot (Ryan Nicole) Rupe, Blacklick; stepdaughters, Evelyn M. (Chad) Vanscoy, Heath, and Barbara A. Worrell, Newark; a sister, Patricia (Bruce) Dingess, Columbus; brother, Steven (Cindy) Rupe, Delaware; grandchildren, Kip M. and Demi Payne, Mathew Vanscoy, Cullen Steve Worrell, and Steven A. Blankenship; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David R. Rupe.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Oct. 28, 2011, at Birchfield Funeral Home, Rutland, with Pastor Rod Walker officiating. Burial will follow at Miles Cemetery, Rutland. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home.