Ron Grapengater

Ronald Richard Grapengater, 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, February 10, 2017.

He was born October 16, 1923, in Newton, Kansas to Henry and Mary Grapengeter.  He was the youngest of four brothers.  He graduated as a Certified Machinist from the four year AT&SF Apprentice School.  He married Lorene Rutschman of Whitewater, Kansas on February 17, 1945 – they were married 71 years.

His employment included:  Johnny’s Confectionary, Perfect Bakery, Boeing, and AT&SF Railroad.

He was preceded in death by:  His wife Lorene; his parents; his brothers, Kenneth of Newton, Archie of Harlingen, TX, and Joyce of Brownwood, TX.

He is survived by:  His four children, Bob (Elaine) Grapengater of Pueblo West, CO, Rick (Susan) Grapengater of Tulsa, OK, Dana (Kim) Grapengater of Garden City, KS, and Mary Beth (Garry) Pennington of Chanute, KS; his nine grandchildren, Michele Grapengater Harrington, Jeff Grapengater, Mark Grapengater, Laura Grapengater Ellison, Jennifer Grapengater Moussavi, Megan Grapengater Palen, Richard Pennington, Matthew Pennington, and William Pennington; and his twelve great-grandchildren, Kayli Higdon LaFon, Makenna Harrington, Brock Harrington, Charlotte Ellison, Ford Ellison, Reese Grapengater, Michael Grapengater, Evelyn Grapengater, Annabelle Pennington, Anber Pennington, Olivia Palen, and Marek Moussavi.

He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and served in many ministries over many years.  He loved doing projects for others.  His ability to fix just about anything will be remembered by all that he helped.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday February 12, 2017 at Petersen Funeral Home, 215 North Main Street, Newton, Kansas.  The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Services will be 2 p.m. February 13, 2017 at Salem United Methodist Church, 115 Old Main Street, Newton, Kansas.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Salem United Methodist Church or Caring Hands Humane Society in care of Petersen Funeral Home.