Earl W. Ruffner

80, Appleton, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah. He was born on September 4, 1945, in Yale, IL to the late William and Freda (Spencer) Ruffner. Earl graduated from Newton High School in 1963 and enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. He served three years in the army with his last year spent in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1966.

Earl had two children with his first wife, Judy. He was in the grocery business for many different companies which took him to many places including Indiana, Kansas and Texas. He met Marie (Becker) Kees on a radio station dating game. They were married on July 10, 1998, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Sheboygan, WI. They located to Appleton where Earl worked for Tel Mark sales. Upon retiring, Earl stayed active with many jobs working for Lamers Bus Company, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Matthews Tires.

Earl loved to sing and was in the choir of St. Pius X for eighteen years and seven years at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. No one was a stranger to Earl, and he would strike up a conversation with anyone he met, especially enjoying connecting with veterans in the community. He became a huge Wisconsin sports fan and he and Marie loved to fill out their bracket together during March Madness. In earlier years he and Marie enjoyed many windblown rides on their Harley and trips to Door County.

He is survived by his wife, Marie, of 28 years; two children: Beth Ann (Mark) Sharpe and Jeffrey (Penny) Ruffner; stepdaughter, Heidi (Scott) Mabie; his sisters: Nancy Hephner, Marilyn (Gary) Wattelworth and Annetta Chronic, his brother, Jack Ruffner; an aunt, Janice Warren; Marie's sisters: Marge (Jim) Hass and Marcie (Steve) Wermund. He is survived by five grandchildren: Cameron Mabie of Plymouth, WI, Justin Ruffner and Harley Ruffner of Alabama, Jake Ruffner of Georgia and Justina Whiteknight of CA.

A Memorial Mass for Earl will be held at 11 AM, Tues. Aug. 18th, 2026, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, with Rev. Larry Seidl officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 AM until the mass, directly at church. He will be laid to rest at Central Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in King, WI.

To view a live stream of the Funeral Mass please click on this link, starting at 10:55 AM, on Tues August 18th, 2026

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