Mary Lou Ripberger

Mary Lou Ripberger, age 81, formerly of Tipton and Kokomo, died at 9:18 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at her daughter’s residence. She was born on December 14, 1935 in Peru to Henry E. & Esther L. (Wahlig) Thoennes. Mary Lou and Richard Carl Ripberger were married on November 22, 1956 in Peru and they shared 51 years of marriage until Rich’s passing on November 29, 2007.

She was an RN and full-time mom. Mary Lou was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo where she was very active. Her church activities included helping with funeral dinners, teaching CCD, driving a school bus, singing in a church group, serving as a Eucharistic minister and leading a bible study. Mary Lou was an associate member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton and belonged to the Third Order of Franciscans. She was also active in various ecumenical groups throughout the years.

Mary Lou graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1956. She was a member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority. She loved playing Euchre and Bridge, attending community concerts and going to Beef & Boards. She truly enjoyed her home in Siesta Key, Florida and spent many retirement years there where she was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church.

Mary Lou is survived by three daughters and one son, Michele Renee Reishus and husband Neal, Kokomo, Kimberly Ann Fletcher and husband Tom, Monticello, Dean Francis Ripberger and wife Bonnie, Tipton and Julie Anne Wehrli and husband Mark, Carmel. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Renee Ripberger, Kokomo; one sister, Betty Ann McBride, Noblesville; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Rich, one son, Richard Carl Ripberger II and one sister, Jane Ellen Hammond.

A funeral Mass for Mary Lou will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Kokomo with Fr. Patrick Keith Hosey presiding. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Friday, all at the church. The rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions in Mary Lou’s honor may be made to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 South County Road 200 West, Kokomo, Indiana, 46902.