Richard Eugene Ruleford

Former long-time Menominee and Marinette resident Richard 'Dick' Ruleford, 88, left this world on August 19, 2012 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Richard was born July 15, 1924 in Urbana, Illinois to William and Clara (Williams) Ruleford, but moved to the Menominee and Marinette area as a child. Most will remember his teasing ways and always having a joke to tell, along with some good deer hunting and fishing stories. One of his greatest joys was to spend time with his sons, grandsons and close friends at his camp on Chappee Creek, near Menominee. Although his time in the military took him all around the world to places such as the Philippines, Australia, Germany, Vietnam and several homes in the United States, he always considered Marinette and Menominee to be 'home.' In 2001, after the death of his wife, Ann, Richard returned to the area permanently until recently when due to health reasons, he moved to a veteran's center in Claremore, Oklahoma, near his sons, Gary and Brian. In addition to retiring with 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, he worked at Signal Electric in Menominee and drove for Roadway Trucking out of El Paso, Texas. Richard's favorite past times included deer hunting and fishing in the Menominee River area. He was also proud of his association and membership in the Masonic Lodge. In the last ten years of his military service, he was a member of various U.S. Marksmanship units in the pistol competition category where he earned many awards. For many years, he continued to enjoy pistol competitions as a civilian. Richard Ruleford is survived by his sons; Gary Ruleford and wife, Zella, of Bixby, OK, Roger Ruleford of Chicago, IL, Brian and wife, Mira, of Tulsa, OK, Larry Ruleford and Mark Ruleford of Menominee, MI and 'adopted' sons, Dave Vista of Felch, MI and Donnie Caswell of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada: brothers and sisters; Bill Ruleford of Chaparral, NM, Jim Ruleford and wife, Janet of Merritt Island, FL, Ted Ruleford and wife, Donna of Guinn, MI, Evelyn VanHese of Menominee, MI, Linda Stuttleen and husband, Butch, of Shawano, WI, Teresa Borths of Marinette, WI. He is also survived by grandchildren; Andy, Miranda, and Mallory Ruleford of Bixby, OK, Sue Ann, Louise and Caswell Ruleford of Tulsa, OK, Jeremiah Walsh of Chicago, IL, and Ricky Ruleford of El Paso, TX. Great-grandsons; Jeremiah Walsh of Chicago, IL and Anderson Ruleford of Bixby, OK. Richard is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ann; his mother and father, William and Clara; son, Ronald Ruleford; brothers and sisters, Alice Hasse, Leonard Ruleford, Nancy Sorenson, Ed Ruleford, and Ann Marie Mays. There will be a mass celebrating Richard's Christian burial at the Resurrection Catholic Church, 2607 18th St., Menominee, MI, with Father Mark McQueston presiding. Mass will be at 11 AM, August 28th, and a luncheon will follow at the church.