Date of death: 6/20/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1961
He was born July 10, 1933 on the Finley Gray farm, now known as the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, one of four children graced to Frank M. and Lucille Schneider Ripberger.He studied for the priesthood at Saint Meinrad in Spencer County, Indiana until returning to Fayette County in 1950; upon returning to the area, he met his future wife, Patricia Ann Brunsman G╟⌠ in 1952, he was employed at Rex Manufacturing until he was drafted in 1953 to serve with the US Army; he was subsequently stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and later in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he married Patricia Ann and reared three sons; he also returned to Rex and its successors, Philco-Ford and Visteon, retiring from there May 31, 2001 G╟⌠ he also worked as an auto mechanic in a service garage.He was a member of St. Gabriel Church, an alumni of Saint Meinrad and a lifelong member of the VFW, the American Legion Post #1 and the NRA; a charter member of the Fayette County Rifle Club, he was also an IUE journeyman G╟⌠ he also enjoyed cooking and working part-time on auto car jobs.Survivors include two sons, Henry Martin Ripberger and Patrick Michael Ripberger and his wife Paula of Richmond, Indiana, two granddaughters, Annelise Cavins and Mary Ripberger of Richmond, three great-grandchildren, Alexander Lee DeLucio, Elashi Cavins and Gabriel Cavings, all of Richmond, a sister, Patricia A. Kanies of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, a sister-in-law, Henrietta Ripberger of Connersville, and his special companion “Barney”; he was also blessed with a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Paul Nicholas Ripberger, a sister, Martha Jean Ripberger, a brother, John E. Ripberger, his father, Frank M. Ripberger, his mother, Lucille Trainor, and his foster parents, Anthony and Margaret Sullivan Hanloh of Tell City, Indiana.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Thursday, June 28, 2012 at St. Gabriel Church, Rev. Stanley J. Herber, officiating; burial, with military rites conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council, will be in Dale Cemetery G╟⌠ family and friends may call at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday with the Rosary to be recited at 3:30PM before the time of visitation; they may also visit anytime online at millermosterrobbins.comMemorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation.