He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam. In his spare time, he enjoyed the peace and quiet of fishing. Casino trips were a favorite activity. Spending time with his grandchildren brought him great joy.
He is survived by a son, Arthur E. (Tina) Rutter of Mansfield; daughter, Deborah Lynn Rutter of Mansfield; stepchildren, Terry Griffith of Norwalk, Phillip Ray Griffith of Vancouver, WA and Carla S. Griffith of Mansfield; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gary Rutter of Newark and William Rutter of Logan; two sisters, Linda Aubery of Thurston, OH and Betty Sudlow of Logan; two half-sisters, Mary Smith and Nellie Reed, both of Lancaster; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marda Owens Rutter; son, Michael Allen Griffith; brother, Christopher Rutter; sister, Dianne Richards; and four half-siblings, Oscar, Glenn and Richard Rutter and Betty Smith.
The family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2015, in the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service conducted by Rev. Clifford Earl Tackett will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery with military honors presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home to assist the family with funeral expenses.
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