Date of death: 6/8/2013
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1958
Father Harold A. Ripperger, retired pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Lanesville, IN, died on June 8, 2013, after a year of illness. He was born July 12, 1932, at St. Peter’s in Franklin County, Indiana. He attended grade school in St. Peter’s as well as St. Michael’s in Brookville and St. Andrew’s in Richmond. He entered Saint Meinrad Seminary in 1946, and was ordained a priest for the Indianapolis Archdiocese on May 3, 1958. During summer vacations, his athletic ability was noted on the ball fields in Richmond where he played for the well-known Kenny and Bob’s and other teams. He was an excellent golfer and had the first hole-in-one at the Oaklandon Golf course. In his fifty-five years of service as a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, he served as assistant pastor at St. Mary’s, New Albany; St. Andrew’s and St. Michael’s, Indianapolis; and St. Mary’s, Greensburg. His pastorates included St. Mary’s, Aurora; St Rose of Lima, Franklin; Holy Guardian Angels, Cedar Grove; and St. Joseph, St. Leon; and St. Mary’s, Lanesville.He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hilda Ripperger, and his brother, Carroll. His survivors include sisters Helen Lawler, Palmetto, FL and Mary O’Donnell, Roswell, GA; sister-in-law Daphne Ripperger; and brothers Rev. William Ripperger, Palm Harbor, FL; Edward Ripperger (Rosanne Taylor), Indianapolis; Louis Ripperger, Naples, FL; Robert Ripperger (Kathy), Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 11, at St. Mary’s Church, Lanesville, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Calling will continue at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, with the funeral liturgy following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery.From Holy Family Catholic Church, New Albany, IN.