Mark Douglas Ruble and Margie Kay Ruble passed away together on Feb. 17, 2022, in Ocala, Fla., as the result of a motorcycle accident.
Mark was 72 and Margie was 77. They were married for 25 years and were doing what they loved.
Margie was born Feb. 29, 1944, in Richmond, Ind., to Arlin Grieser and Evelyn M. Gaffney Chandler. The family later moved to Fort Wayne, where Margie attended South Side High SchooI. She worked mostly in advertising while living in Fort Wayne. She moved to Ocala, Fla., in 1992 to be with Mark and they were married in December of 1996. They enjoyed each other’s company, especially during their many rides on their Harley.
Margie is survived by her children, Michael J. Tomsen of Fort Wayne, Jennifer S. (Doug) Bowers of Leo, Ind., Wendi L. Cole (Shawn Hacker) of Auburn, Ind., and Fritz E. (Lisa) Rommel of Fort Wayne, and her sister, Vonda L. Gipson of New Port Richey, Fla. Margie had 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three nieces, one nephew, six great-nephews, and one great-niece.
She was preceded in death by a son, John M. Tomsen.
Mark was born April 5, 1949, in Lansing, Mich., to Homer Dale and Marjorie (Pauline) Ruble. After the family moved to Bluffton, he graduated from Lancaster High School in 1967. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and went into the Special Forces Unit (Green Berets). After serving in Vietnam, Mark was awarded three Bronze Stars and several other meritorious distinction medals for his outstanding service. Mark came back to Indiana and worked as a horseshoer because of his love for horses. He eventually moved to Ocala and continued his career until becoming a plumber. He retired in 2015.
Mark is survived by his brother, Phil (Mimi) Ruble; a niece, Laurie (Michael) Michel; a nephew, Craig Ruble; and three nephews and one niece, Kayla Hooks, Anthony Michel, Chase Ruble, and Cole Ruble.
Mark was very close to Margie’s children and grandchildren.
Mark and Margie met in Fort Wayne in the early 1990s and knew they would spend the rest of their lives together. They shared their love for the outdoors with the wind at their backs on their motorcycle. They loved going to Daytona every year and visiting Margie’s family in Indiana, whom they were very close to. They also enjoyed visiting Mark’s brother Phil in California.
They are greatly missed by their family and special friends, who loved their sense of humor and honesty and truth in all conversations. Margie had a great voice and both shared their love of their Harley, a good Scotch, and each other.
Donations in his honor can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Ocala, Fla.
A burial ceremony has been scheduled for 2 p.m. April 22 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.