Obituary of Maxine Ruppel Sterghos

Maxine Ruppel Sterghos, age 82, passed away 4/30/12 after a long illness. She was born in Flint, Michigan and moved to Florida with Ed in 1955 to raise their children and join the family business. Maxine was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a foster mother to seventeen babies over the years, starting their lives out with love and lots of cuddling and rocking before relinquishing them to their adoptive families. Maxine was a tireless volunteer at church, school and the community, serving fifteen years at All Children's Hospital. She always made her home a welcome haven for friends and family. Maxine was predeceased by her daughter Diana Richards and two husbands, Edward Ruppel (30 years) and James Sterghos (20 years). Survivors include daughter Kathleen Kerrins; son David Ruppel (Patty); sister Dorothy (Leonard) Teitelbaum; grandchildren Todd (Tracy) Kerrins, Jonathan Gunter, Kimberly Gunter (Tom) Moyers, Julie Kerrins (Todd) Costa, David (Holly) Gunter, Joni Ruppel, Kristen Sterghos (Chris) Vacinek, Stephanie Ruppel, John Ruppel, Joseph Ruppel, and Matthew Ruppel; great-grandchildren Nicholas Adams, Abigail Kerrins, Lindsey Kerrins, Jackson Costa, Natalie Kerrins, Devin Gunter, and Aidan Costa; and many other family members. The world was a sweeter place with Maxine in it, and she will be missed beyond measure. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, May 11, 2012 at 2 pm at E. James Reese Funeral Home, 6767 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, FL 33772. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Maxine's name at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 709, Clearwater, FL 33762.