Walter M. Rumple (Walt), 95, of Scottsburg, Indiana, went peacefully to his heavenly home on Friday, October 30, 2020 with his family by his side. Walt was born in Van Buren, Indiana on June 29, 1925 to the late William and Florence (Hewitt) Rumple. He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Margaret (Ballinger) Rumple, and his five children, Diann Mayfield (Glen) of Avon, Indiana, Nina Cozart (Wayne) of Crothersville, Indiana, Judy Nicholson-Hay (Donnie) of Madison, Indiana, Steve Rumple (Debby) of Scottsburg, Indiana and Nancy Inman (John) of Brandenburg, Kentucky; fifteen grandchildren, Jennifer Combs (Christopher), Doug Mayfield (Shanna), Christie Carr (Marc), Susie Riley (Bobby), Andrew Cozart, Jeff Nicholson, Joe Nicholson (Wendy), Jessica Coomes (Jeremy), Donnie Hay (Kelley), Brad Rumple (Jennifer), Ryan Inman (Bethany), Kimberly Jones (Brad), Johnny Inman (Tracy), Matthew Inman (Monica), and David Inman (Tracey); forty great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Walt was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Angie Mayfield Colbert; a grandson, Bret Rumple; a great grandson, Andre Cozart; a son-in-law, Dennis Nicholson; five older brothers and an older sister. With a strong desire to serve his country, Walt enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 17. After completing basic training, he was soon assigned to a B-17 bomber crew as part of the 305th bomb group and was stationed in Chelveston, England. On March 2, 1944, Walt's crew conducted their 9th bombing mission, having flown to Frankfurt, Germany, but as they headed back to their base in Chelveston, they were shot down by a German fighter plane. The crew bailed out and Walt and his entire crew survived. They were captured by German soldiers, taken as prisoners of war and endured the cruelties of the Germans for 14 months. In January of 1945, during record cold temperatures at that time, he and his fellow POWs were forced to walk nearly 400 miles over 55 days in the frigid winter weather. It was known as the "German Death March". In April of 1945, with food being scarce, Walt and three of his fellow POWs were able to escape during a break while on another long march. Eventually, Walt and his fellow escapees were liberated by British troops. A couple of months later, he was back in the United States and on June 30, 1945 Walt and Margaret were married. Over the next 10 years, they were blessed with five children, which resulted in many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Walt's family was the love of his life. A favorite memory of the grandchildren was climbing into the wagon and Grandpa getting on the tractor to drive them to the "secret hiding place" to look for bears in the woods behind the house. The large family gatherings on Thanksgiving and Christmas were always a favorite time for Walt, sometimes reaching over 50 family members. Walt was in the insurance business when he and Margaret moved their family to Scottsburg from South Bend, Indiana. He was quite an entrepreneur, as he also sold camping trailers from the backyard of the family home. He later bought the old Shady Nook Motel and sold mobile homes from that same location. Then in 1972, Walt and Margaret, along with family friends Hiram and Betty Judd, began the business near Hardy Lake, known as Pioneer Village. At this time, he also served as the Director of the Federal program known as CETA which provided employment to many people in the community. After serving on the board of directors of Scott Memorial Hospital, Walt was hired to the dual position of Purchasing Agent and Head of Maintenance. After retiring at the age of 65, he then worked part time at the local Speedway as a cashier until he turned 80. Family travel was also an activity that Walt enjoyed, taking his family as far west as Yellowstone National Park and eastward to Maine and Quebec, Canada. In the process, a lot of great family memories were created. Walt was also active in the community of Scottsburg, especially through politics, having run for local office on two occasions. He was a member of First Christian Church in Scottsburg, where he had previously served as a deacon and also a member of the Scottsburgh Lodge # 572 F & AM. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the First Christian Church with Phil LaMaster and Matt Craig officiating. Funeral services may also be viewed on Collins Funeral Home's Facebook page at 3:00 pm on Tuesday. Visitation for Walt will be on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m at the First Christian Church. Visitation and services will be open to the public as long as social distancing guidelines can be observed. Please follow the CDC's recommendations and guidelines while attending the services and face masks will be required due to the governor's executive mandate. Interment with full military honors will be in Scottsburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church of Scottsburg or Courageous Kids c/o Collins Funeral Home in Scottsburg, Indiana. Online condolences:www.collinsfuneralhome.net.