Annabelle RUPEL

20 AUG 1933 - 31 DEC 2022

• BIRTH: 20 AUG 1933, Greene Township, St. Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 31 DEC 2022, Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N34121] Annabelle Rupel
August 20, 1933 - December 31, 2022

Annabelle (Rupel) Kersh passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Memorial Hospital at the age of 89. Annabelle was born on August 20, 1933 in St. Joseph County to the late Hiram and Edith (Howell) Rupel. She grew up in Greene Township and graduated from Greene Township School. On June 23, 1951 at Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church, Annabelle and Richard Kersh were united in marriage. They have been married for 71 years. After retiring from Potato Creek State Park, Annabelle and Richard enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. Her most memorable trips were taking her children and grandchildren to Disney World and loading their motorhome on a barge and traveling down the Mississippi River. Annabelle and Richard were snowbirds and traveled to Sanibel Island, FL every winter for 40 years. On Sanibel, you could find Annabelle collecting shells on the beach, riding the bike paths, and visiting her favorite shops. She was an avid reader, amazing cook, and enjoyed collecting recipes and cookbooks. Annabelle was a 50-plus year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She helped cook and serve potato soup and angel food cakes at the Potato Creek Festival for many years. Annabelle is survived by her husband, Richard; daughters, Marianne (Wendell) Kemp of Walkerton, Kathy Kersh of Walkerton and Beth (Mike) Allsop of North Liberty; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and her sister, Elsie (Tom) Frame of Venice, FL. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, Annabelle was preceded in death by her siblings, Amy Shunk, Edna Johnson, Charles “Bo” Rupel; and her grandson, Kayden Kemp. A celebration of Annabelle’s life will be held at a later date and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Annabelle Kersh may be donated to Lakeville Chapter #479, Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 247, Lakeville, IN 46536 or Santa’s Workshop at the United Methodist Church, 1000 Georgia Street, Walkerton, IN 46574. Online condolences may be offered to Annabelle’s family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Posted online on January 04, 2023
Published in South Bend Tribune