Richard C. Ripberger I

Richard C. Ripberger IRichard C. Ripberger I, 73, Kokomo died at 9:05 p.m. Thursday, November 29, 2007 at his residence. He was born January 13, 1934 in Tipton to Clarence R. and Mary G. (Lawhorn) Ripberger.  On November 22, 1956 in Peru he married Mary Lou Thoennes, who survives.Rich was a graduate of St. John's Catholic School, and Tipton High School in 1952.  He  later graduated from Indiana Business College in Kokomo. He was Regional Manager of Continental Steel, was co-owner of Ambassador Steel in Kokomo, and owned Ambassador Financial Services in Indianapolis, retiring in 1990.  He has been a member at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo for 25 years and also attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tipton.  Rich was a past member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Tipton Elks Lodge.  He served in the Indiana National Guard from 1953-1957.He was a former co-member of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was a member of their Financial Board.. He taught CCD and coached grade school basketball at St. Joan of Arc School. Rich was very active leading several interdenominational and ecumenical groups, and a Christian prayer group.  He had served as a member of the Board of Directors of Taylor University.  He was a generous man, making donations to several special causes.Survivors include his wife Mary Lou, five children, Richard C. (Renee') Ripberger II, Kokomo; Dean F. (Bonnie) Ripberger, Tipton; Michele (Neal) Reishus, Kokomo; Kimberly (Tom) Fletcher, Monticello; and Julie (Mark) Wehrli , Carmel.  He has three sisters, Madonna Myers, Rosemary Comer and Betty Hawkins and husband Bill, all of Tipton; two sisters-in-law, Jody Ripberger and Thelma Ripberger, both of Tipton.  He was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond, Jim, and Pat Ripberger.Rich has 14 grandchildren, Maggie and Zack Reishus,  Jason Gonzalez and friend Leah Gillock, Nick Gonzalez, Amanda Gonzalez and fiancé Craig Crawford,  Francis, Jessica, Thomas, Sarah, Rebeckah, Katherine and Samuel Ripberger, Matthew & Allie Wehrli; two great-grandchildren, Elena and Emma Crawford; three step-grandchildren Rev. Luke Mary Fletcher, C.F.R., Tim Fletcher and wife Tina, and Megan Fletcher; four step-great grandchildren, Jeanne, Matthew, Hannah and Clara Fletcher.His funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 3 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S. County Road 200 West, Kokomo, with Rev. Ted Dudzinski presiding and burial to follow in St. John's Cemetery, Tipton.  Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday at the church.Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation, 3951 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46208 or the St. Joan of Arc building fund, 3155 S. County Road 200 West, Kokomo, Indiana, 46902.Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton, is in charge of the arrangements.