Rufus Kibler

Mr. Rufus Hamilton Kibler Jr., 84, of Newberry, widower of his beloved wife of 64 years, Margaret Watts Kibler, died Friday, October 21, 2011 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital .

Born on May 22 , 1927, in Newberry, Mr. Kibler was the son of the late Rufus Hamilton Kibler, Sr. and Corinne Coefield Kibler. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Kibler proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He retired from Coca-Cola after 44 years of dedicated service to the Newberry and Columbia bottling companies. He was a life-long member of Beth-Eden Lutheran Church where he served on church council. Rufus was an active member of the Lions Club, where he was held in high regard for the many active roles he played in fraternal and humanitarian projects. He earned Lion of the Year in 1991-1992 and 1999-2000, and earned the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2008-2009. Rufus was a 40 year member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 2211.

Rufus was a kind and gentle man known for his witty sense of humor. He was a loving and dedicated husband to his wife Margaret.

He is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Sara Rogers Campbell of Hamer, SC and Mrs. Juanita Monds of Chattanooga , TN ; nieces Mrs. Kay Rogers McLean of Rowland, NC and Ms. Ruth Alberta Ninestein and a nephew, Ken neth Leroy Rogers of Lake View , SC. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Ninestein

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Monday, October 24, 2011 at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Rodney Gunter. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens . The family will receive friends from 2:15 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel. Memorials may be made to Beth-Eden Lutheran Church , 228 Jalapa Road , Newberry , SC 29108 .

Honorary pallbearers are all former and present members of the Newberry Lions Club.

Rufus’s family and friends expresses their sincere and heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home and Springfield Place and to the staff of Newberry County Memorial Hospital

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