Lawrence A. Rupley, 84

June 19, 2025

Lawrence A. Rupley, formerly of Indiana, Illinois, Nigeria, Ohio, Georgia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Akron and Lititz, Pennsylvania, died on June 19, 2025. He was 84.

He was born in Huntington, Indiana to Clarence and Mary (Darley) Rupley and lived on the family farm during his growing-up years. He attended Clear Creek High School and Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana. He married Melody Eikenberry in 1966.

After graduate study at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and a Rotary fellowship at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, he taught economics at universities in the United States at Knox College, Emory University and Depauw, at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria and University of Nairobi in Kenya. He was also employed by MTS Travel and worked on arrangements for the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Zimbabwe in 2003. Lawrence and Melody worked together as administrators of Mennonite Central Committee’s peace, relief and development programs in Burkina Faso and Nigeria for a total of 13 years. They lived in Akron PA for 29 years before moving to Landis Homes, Lititz PA, in 2015.

He was co-author of two editions of the Historical Dictionary of Burkina Faso and authored a number of journal articles.

His hobbies included playing the piano for his own enjoyment and playing water volleyball at Landis Homes retirement community. He enjoyed jokes and puns and trivia and learning new information. He was a long-time member of Akron Mennonite Church where he was the volunteer coordinator of a monthly men’s group for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Melody, and children Heidi Asta Rupley, Colin Leon Rusel (Lora), and Nathan Carlos Rupley (Rebecca), and by grandsons Gavin and Avery Rusel, and Silas and Dylan Rupley and a sister, Joy R. VonBlon.

A future celebration of Lawrence’s life at Akron Mennonite Church will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lawrence’s memory may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 12 South 12th Street, Akron PA 17501.
Mennonite Central Committee