Elmer Eugene Ruggles, 75, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away Friday (May 29, 2015) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

The son of Everett and Maude (Hurley) Ruggles, he was born January 5, 1940 in Worthington, Missouri. Elmer was united in marriage on June 30, 1958 in Kirksville to Ruby Jean Rouse, who survives.

Also surviving is one son, Rusty Ruggles and wife Angie of Kirksville; three daughters, Rhonda Jenkins and husband Bill of Novinger, Debora Corrin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Darla Jaynes and husband Jeff of Joplin, Missouri; eight brothers and sisters; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-four great grandchildren.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and sisters.

He received his education in the Novinger Schools, graduating with the class of 1958. Elmer lived and worked in Adair county his entire life. He was a member of The Gathering Place Church. Elmer enjoyed hunting, fishing and guns.

Public visitation will be held Monday (June 1, 2015) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday (June 2, 2015) at 2:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Sam Burkholder presiding. Interment will follow the service at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Martins Town, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Gary Lee Durley, Shannon Wood, Kendall Peterson, Darek Fowler, Jim Beale, and Jeff May. Honorary pallbearers are John Golian, Kyle Green and James Bredeman.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Elmer may be made in his name to the Elmer Eugene Ruggles Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.