Neil Ruffner, 62, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on Sunday, May 9, 2021, at his home following a long courageous journey with heart failure and two years of progressing lung cancer.
Neil was born May 30, 1958, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Dan and Mary Ruffner. The Ruffner family moved to Zeeland when Neil was 7 years old. Neil was the middle child of three Ruffner children and graduated from Zeeland High School in 1976. He married Karen Smith on January 19, 1979, and raised their children together in Zeeland. Neil started Ruffner Construction and worked 45 years as a construction contractor before retiring. Neil did countless projects and some of his larger notable projects were: Yntema Funeral Home, Residential Parade Home, cottages, FMB-Zeeland Main Street, many downtown Zeeland commercial properties, the New Groningen Schoolhouse, his children’s homes. He finished out his career completing the Graphix Signs and Embroidery building. He was preceded in death by his parents Dan and Mary, father-in-law Paul Smith, and brother-in-law Tom Smith.
Neil lived and worked by a lot of mantra’s mostly passed down from his parents: Integrity, courage, respect, loyalty, “measure twice, cut once”, “God had other plans for me!”, “do it right the first time” along with a wealth of building trade knowledge and wisdom. Neil’s kindness was also expressed in being willing to pitch in and lend a hand to family, neighbors, and friends. Neil expected perfection and quality in everything, his work and his personal life, followed closely by vehicle cleanliness, lawn equipment, trees, pools, boats, etc.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen, their children, and grandchildren: Anna and Kurt Lehnert (Jaxtyn, Kiptyn, Swayze, Nashtyn), Chris and Katie Ruffner (Makenzie, Eliott); sister Jan and Dave Raterink, brother Eric and Jayne Ruffner, mother-in-law Pat Smith, in-laws: Chris Montgomery, Sharon Baker, Phil and Beth Smith, Nancy Tratham, and many extended family and friends.
A funeral service to honor the faith and life of Neil Ruffner will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 13, 2021, at Second Reformed Church, 225 East Central Ave., Zeeland MI 49464. Visitation will be 1-3 & 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Yntema Funeral home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland MI 49464, also Thursday 1:00-1:45 p.m. prior to the funeral at church. Interment will be in Zeeland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holland Rescue Mission or Harbor Humane Society.
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