Philip Edward Ruck

Philip Edward Ruck, 85, of Waupun, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2024. 

Phil was born on June 10, 1938, in Milwaukee to Ruth and Edward Ruck. He graduated from Waupun High School in 1956. On June 4, 1960, he married Janette Wendt in Brandon. Following their marriage, the couple spent most of their married lives in Waupun. Phil was employed at Mercury Marine and retired in 2001. He was a member of the National Guard for more than 25 years and served during the Berlin Crisis at Ft. Lewis in Washington. He was a long-standing member of the American Legion Post 210 in Waupun. Phil was a very active and dedicated life-long member of the Waupun United Methodist Church. He was a volunteer for the Waupun Truck-N-Show for more than 25 years. An avid reader, Phil also liked watching the Packers, the Brewers and his favorite NASCAR driver, Jimmie Johnson. Phil never met a stranger and had a wonderful gift of gab.

Phil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janette Ruck; three children, Timothy of Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Tracy (Don) Rogers of Sun Prairie and Terri (Erik) Pearce of Waunakee; two grandchildren, Payton Pearce and Evan Pearce; sister- and brother-in-law, Jan and Clyde Hodge of Loveland, CO; his aunt, Ethlyn Blood of Columbus; brother-in-law Ken Wendt of Fond du Lac; sister- and brother-in-law Diane and Steve Strupp of Oakfield; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Schneider and Edward Ruck; his in-laws, Lawrence and Viola Wendt; brother- and sister-in-law Arden and Joan Wendt; sister- and brother-in-law, Judy and Dale Jefferson, sister-in-law Jean Wendt, sister- and brother-in-law Beverly and Louis Friess; and niece Paula Wendt. 

Funeral services for Philip Ruck will be held at Waupun United Methodist Church on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery. American Legion Post 210 of Waupun will be providing military honors. Friends may call from 5-7 pm on Thursday, May 2 at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun. 

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison for taking good care of Phil. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to send donations to the Waupun Food Pantry or the Waupun United Methodist Church.