Rupp, Clarence V. Sept. 2, 1923- Feb. 28, 2014 Billings Gazette Billings, Montana 5 Mar 2014 Clarence Rupp Clarence was born on Sept. 2, 1923, the first of four children born to John and Mollie Rupp. He passed away on Feb. 28, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Clarence was born in Park City and this is where he grew up and graduated from high school. He was active in track and won several ribbons for the 440, 880 and mile and placed at the state meets in the 880 and mile. He met Mary Frank at confirmation class and they were married in 1942. Clarence enlisted in the Navy and became a medical corpsman in Pasco, Wash. Mary joined him in Idaho for the training and then in Pasco. After the war they lived in Pasco, Billings, Park City and Laurel before settling in Worden in 1954 as the power use adviser for Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative in Huntley. Clarence founded the Huntley Eagles 4-H club in 1955 and it is still in existence today. He was a leader for all 13 years spent on the Huntley Project and was active in 4-H at both the county and state levels. Clarence also gave time to the Huntley Project FFA where he taught electricity and wiring to the students and also found a farm for them to rewire every year. In 1968, Clarence accepted a job as the manager of the Rural Electric Cooperative in Edgeley, N.D. During this time, their love of antiques developed into a full-time hobby and business. Mary was very knowledgeable about antiques, especially glassware, and Clarence became an expert furniture restorer. They opened C&M Antiques and traveled the West, always looking for antiques and then parting with them at the numerous shows they attended. When Clarence retired in 1985, they returned to Billings. Clarence continued with his antiques and furniture restoration until he and Mary moved into Aspen View Retirement home in 2003. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mollie Rupp, a sister Violet Evett and Mary, his wife of 66 years. He is survived by sons Randall (Laurel), Jeffrey (Eileen), David (Janie); daughter Terri Wiggins (Shayne); 12 grandchildren, Danielle Eshleman (Paul), Dawn Van Luchene, Jeremy Rupp, Jason Van Luchene (Raina), Michael Rupp (Jodi), Tyler Rupp (Ashley), Dustin Rupp (Laura), Anne Rupp, Katie Rupp, Kelsey Rupp (David Wienbar), Thomas Rupp, and Jennifer Rupp; great-grandchildren Jarrad Eshleman, Billy Eshleman, Taelar Van Luchene, Charlie Elizabeth Van Luchene, Easton Rupp, Axel Rupp, Cayden Rupp and Emma Rupp; a brother, Lyle Rupp (Laura); sister, Gladys Besel; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ostwalt (John) and Alice Frank Funeral services will be held at Pilgrim Congregation Church, 409 S. 36th St., Billings, on Friday, March 7, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Montana Alzheimer’s Association (3010 N. 11th Ave., Billings, MT 59101) in Clarence’s name would be appreciated.