Winifred Joan “Jody” Ripberger

Winifred Joan "Jody" Ripberger was born, December 21, 1928 and was married to Raymond “Bud” Ripberger on April 23, 1949. Her parents were Gladys and Joseph Aerne, and brother Joey Aerne of Kokomo. She raised six children. Kathy (Ripberger) Mahaney (deceased), Dan Ripberger, Tipton, Ron Ripberger and wife Karen, Tipton, Cindy (Ripberger) Essig and husband Larry, Arcadia, CR "Bud" Ripberger and wife Juli, Chelsea, Michigan and Amy (Ripberger) Hoover and husband Hal, Cicero. The facts of Jody’s life are important. They help define her but her spirit is so much more than a list.

She would light up when you mentioned one or more of her 30 plus grand or great-grandchildren. She would swell with pride when she spoke of her family’s accomplishments and be the first to encourage and announce award or acclaim. Jody raised her family in a way that revolved around her. And not out of requirement but out of desire. We all loved her so incredibly much that we gravitated to her by choice.

She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She spent countless hours each year helping plan The Ripberger Open, a charity golf tournament that honors her daughter, which helps support Tipton County breast cancer patients. She was the "Jody" in Bud & Jody's Bottle Shop which she and her husband owned for many years. You could also find her volunteering her time at the Tipton Hospital gift shop because she knew how important it was to give your time. Jody was an avid Bridge player, a member of the Rosary Society, and in regular attendance at the weekly "Bitch and Moan" gatherings.

Her family adored and admired her and her friends loved her. Jody was full of life, love, faith, wisdom, and grace. She was a shining example of someone who lived her life in such a way that losing her will leave a permanent ache in our hearts but her memory will stay alive and her love will live on. Jody will be remembered as a beautiful wife, a loving mother, a doting grandma, a loyal friend, and a blessing to anyone that knew her.

A funeral Mass for Jody will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tipton with Rev. Christopher Shocklee presiding and burial to follow in St. John's Cemetery. The family will have visitation hours at Young-Nichols Funeral Home from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday with the Rosary being recited at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations in Jody's honor to be made to either restorations at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 340 Mill Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or the Ripberger Open, 2345 S. 900 West, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.