Dr. Lee F. “Joe” Dupler

October 30, 2024

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Dr. Lee F. “Joe” Dupler, 90, of Frankfort, passed away October 30, 2024 with his family by his side at St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born January 19, 1934 in San Diego, CA to Harley Harold & Laura Elizabeth (Wright) Dupler, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Marine Corp.  Dr. Dupler married Carol Jean Gaffney on December 29, 1955 at the First Christian Church in Frankfort and she survives.

Dr. Dupler was a 1951 graduate of Frankfort High School, where he was active in sports and was president of the Hi-Y Club.  He then graduated from Indiana University in 1955, and then graduated in 1958 from the I.U. School of Medicine.  He completed his residency in Methodist Hospital.  In 1961, he served in the U.S. Army as Captain at the Brooke Army Hospital Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX where he developed training curriculum for MASH units.  He received his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army as a Captain.

Dr. Dupler returned to Frankfort in 1964 and was an Internal Medicine Physician for almost 40 years.  Back in Frankfort, he became very active with the Clinton County Hospital and was instrumental in getting the hospital accredited with the State of Indiana, developed the first ICU in the county and worked on the Indiana State Board of Hospitals.  He was also a founding member of the Frankfort Medial Clinic, the first multispecialty clinic, serving the Frankfort community.

Dr. Dupler was active in the community.  He was a member of the Frankfort Rotary Club, where he was President in 1969, and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Dr. Dupler was President of the Medical Staff and President of the Hospital Board of Directors, was a board member of the Clinton County Boys and Girls Club, and a member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  In 2023, he was inducted into the Frankfort High School Hall of Fame.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at the funeral home. Kelly Kurth will officiate. Burial will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations in honor of Dr. Dupler can be made to the Clinton County Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 103, Frankfort, IN 46041 or the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 352 W. Clinton St., Frankfort, IN 46041.

Survived by:

wife: Carol J. Dupler of Frankfort, daughters: Laura A. (John) Neeb of Greenfield, Diane C. (Javier) Gonzalez of Richlands, NC, Jeanne L. (Shane) McMains of Cumming, GA, son: James F. (Elaine) Dupler of Zionsville, surviving brother: Murphy R. Dupler of Wallace, Michigan, 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Preceded by:

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Jan D. “Pete” and Harley H. “Butch” Dupler, and a grandson James Charles D. Dupler on October 20, 2016.

Memorial Video

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Condolences

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35 Condolences for “Dr. Lee F. “Joe” Dupler”

  1. Sue Wellman Fall October 31, 2024 at 5:58 pm

    I was proud to work with Dr. Dupler. He was the kindest, most soft spoken and ethical physician. He taught me so much. You are missed.

    Reply
  2. Kevin scheid October 31, 2024 at 6:31 pm

    Dr. Joe was not only our in neighbor for decades but also helped care for our large family. We will miss him dearly but know he’s in a wonderful place.

    Reply
  3. Tamara Hamilton Goodin November 1, 2024 at 8:20 am

    I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. Dupler’s passing. Such a sweet and gentle soul!

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  4. Joni and Steve Anderson November 1, 2024 at 8:41 am

    Our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Dupler and their family. He served his community well. He will be missed!

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  5. Tami Mcclaran November 1, 2024 at 8:58 am

    Dr Dupler’s passing deeply saddens me as I’m sure it does many. I was fortunate enough to have this man come into my life as a very new RN. I had the pleasure of working with him in the hospital setting as well as in the clinic. He will always be remembered by me as someone who cared deeply about his profession and the patients he cared for. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

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  6. Mae Noeman November 1, 2024 at 9:31 am

    My sincere sympathy to Carol and family, Mae Norman

    Reply
  7. Judy Clark November 1, 2024 at 9:57 am

    Our deepest sympathies to all of his family who will miss him dearly. He touched so many lives throughout his years of service to this community and the medical profession. To him being a physician was not a job but a calling, and you could see that every day in the way that he approached not only each patient but their families and all of the staff he worked with. His kindness, compassion and determination to make each patient better no matter what is something that we all admired. May he rest in peace and may the memories of his fulfilling life sustain you in the days ahead. Jim and Judy Clark

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  8. Dave & Kathy Sanders November 1, 2024 at 10:21 am

    So sorry for your loss. It was an honor to work with such a Godly man. His integrity was un-wavering.

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  9. Madonna Jacobs Stein November 1, 2024 at 10:51 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a kind man. I hope in time you will find comfort in the many wonderful memories he has left you with.

    Reply
  10. Connie Carlson:Armstrong November 1, 2024 at 10:55 am

    So sorry to hear your dad died. My thoughts and prayers with your family.

    Reply
  11. Darryl Gunyon November 1, 2024 at 11:05 am

    So very sorry for you Loss guys….wonderful memories of your Dad. His compassion an kindness towards his patients, I’ll never forget and he’ll be remembered always.

    Reply
  12. Bob & Deb Villars November 1, 2024 at 11:12 am

    Our deepest condolences to the Dupler family. I (Deb) worked with him at the hospital and the clinic for several years.
    He was the kindest gentle spirit to be around. I never heard a negative comment come from him. We could figure out many of things with common sense approach. With changes of supplies being constant ‘if all else fails, read the instructions’. Could of been written by him. Always reading keeping up to date with medical journals and the Bible at his desk.
    May you rest in peace., and know that we all will miss you and cherish that we were allowed to know you.

    Reply
  13. Steve Chapman November 1, 2024 at 1:34 pm

    It was wonderful reading about Dr. Dupler’s life and legacy. May God grant your family His beautiful peace during this time!

    Reply
  14. Elaine Moon November 1, 2024 at 2:49 pm

    I am so very sorry to hear of Dr Duplers passing. I knew him as our familys physician and as a colleague at Clinton County Hospital in its many changes for nearly 30 yrs. He was always very kind. He was very knowledgeable in all aspects of medicine but not unable to ask for advice of other doctors when a case was very puzzling. He treated the nurses with respect and valued their input about patient care. There were so many patients who knew him from his boyhood and every one of them had only wonderful things to say about him. There are very few people of his stature in this community today.

    Reply
  15. Glenn R. Gaffney November 1, 2024 at 2:58 pm

    Very sorry to read about Joe’s passing. I will try to make the funeral Wednesday. Our condolences to Carol and the entire family.

    Reply
  16. Fred Heavilon, Jr. November 1, 2024 at 3:05 pm

    Dr. Dupler did much for the people in Clinton County. Condolences to his family and friends.

    Reply
  17. Jessica Mitchum November 1, 2024 at 3:29 pm

    I am so thankful to be his granddaughter. His favorite hymn is Amazing Grace and I’m looking forward to singing it with him again. The way he would listen and give undivided attention to me, even when I was a very small child made me feel so special. His thoughtful questions and advice helped me so much throughout my whole life.

    Reply
  18. Rex young November 1, 2024 at 5:02 pm

    So very sorry for your loss !

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  19. Eric & Gayla Davis November 1, 2024 at 5:21 pm

    Dupler Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Know our prayers will be with your family.

    Reply
  20. Sue and Charlie Fink November 2, 2024 at 11:30 am

    Carol and family
    Dr Dupler was the Kindest man I know and when he was with his patients he was very professional. He will be missed in the medical community and all the lives he has touched. I will cherish the memories that I have of him while I was working. We are sending you our prayers that you are comforted during this difficult time.

    Sue and Charlie Fink

    Reply
  21. Joan Harris November 2, 2024 at 1:59 pm

    Deepest condolences to Mrs Dupler and family. He was a great doctor, professional, kind and respectful to patients and staff. It was a blessing to know him.

    Reply
  22. Kendra VanderMeulen November 2, 2024 at 2:51 pm

    Praying for the peace that passes all understanding for all of the family.

    Reply
  23. Peggy (Snodgrass) Droke November 2, 2024 at 9:48 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss! Dr. Dupler was a kind, gentle, and caring man. He put a this scared little girl at ease the first time I saw him, and he was the first one I sought out when I moved back to Frankfort. Even after being away for five years he still remembered me and my family, and that made this (at the time) shy, introverted young gal feel as if she meant something and had worth. He will be missed!

    Reply
  24. Jeanie and Gary Thompson November 2, 2024 at 10:50 pm

    We are so very sorry for your family’s loss. Carol we always admired Dr. Dupler and you, being so kind to us whenever we would see the two of you. Thank you
    Dr. Dupler will be missed.

    Reply
  25. Lynn and Jerry Hupp November 3, 2024 at 7:08 am

    I was lucky enough to work for Dr. Dupler from 1968 to early 1972. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. We are so sorry for your family’s loss. I pray for God to surround you all with His peace and comfort.

    Reply
  26. Kamstra November 3, 2024 at 9:10 am

    We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love,
    Garry and Betty Kamstra

    Reply
  27. Denise Scofield November 3, 2024 at 9:19 am

    Carol, Jim and family! So very sorry for your loss. What a kind, gentle sole. I remember he would check the nurses off on starting IVs including me. Still one of my favorite things to do. He always brought his black medical bag to unit everyday he worked. He will be missed. Prayers!

    Reply
  28. MaryEllen Frye November 3, 2024 at 8:29 pm

    Dr(s) Jim and Elaine, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You’re father (Father-in-law) sounds like a wonderful, man, mentor and father. You and your family are in my prayers.

    Reply
  29. John Kamstra November 4, 2024 at 8:47 am

    So very sorry for your loss. From reading the many condolences, Dr. Joe must have been an extraordinary human being!! Sending love, thoughts and prayers.

    John & Karla Kamstra

    Reply
  30. Jack McKown November 4, 2024 at 9:32 am

    My sense of loss is outweighed by the admiration I have for a life well lived. My condolences to Carol, I am truly sorry for her loss.

    Reply
  31. Janice Gill November 4, 2024 at 10:48 am

    Dr. Dupler was a kind and caring doctor who treated me for years. Sincere condolences to his wife and family. May the Lord comfort you in this time of sadness.

    Reply
  32. Laura Ingram November 4, 2024 at 11:17 am

    Along with many others at the National Christian Foundation, I extend my deepest sympathy to your family and prayers for comfort and peace. I know from talking with Jeanne, and I can see clearly from the many notes of condolence, that her father leaves an amazing legacy with lasting impact. May God’s love cover you during this difficult time.

    Reply
  33. Nancy Crum Kehrer November 5, 2024 at 7:41 pm

    Sorry for your family’s great loss, he was a wonderful person and a caring physician to my family.

    We have lost a great man.

    Reply
  34. Tom and Jean Warren November 6, 2024 at 2:40 pm

    We are so sorry to hear of Dr Dupler’s passing. He was such a kind man. Our condolences to his family.

    Reply
  35. Kelli Heimbach November 8, 2024 at 6:20 am

    To the entire Dupler family I send my condolences. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Dr Dupler was one of a kind. Gentle and caring with everyone he met. What a great man to learn from and work beside.
    That smile will be missed by many.

    Reply

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