Ralph R. Ripplemeier

Ralph Raymond Ripplemeier, 98, passed away March 19, 2021 at The Village at Hamilton Pointe with Heart to Heart Hospice care. He lived in his home until he went to the hospital on Feb 21 with a broken hip. Ralph was born on the west side of Evansville to Elizabeth (Hartman) and William Ripplemeier on July 21, 1922. He was the youngest of nine children. He attended Reitz High School. He and his childhood sweetheart, Marjorie Howe, married in Feb 1940. They were blessed with two sons, Raymond and Roy. When Marjorie passed away in 2009, they had been married for 69 years. Ralph served in WWII as a Staff Sergeant with the 32nd infantry in the US Army. He served from 1944 to 1946. He spent a lot of that time in the South Pacific. Ralph received the bronze star for his service. At age 95, Ralph was able to go and be a part of the Honor Flight, his friend, Donna Underhill, accompanied him. After coming home from the service, he began working at International Steel where he was a machinist and continued working there until he retired April 1, 1985. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marjorie (Howe): son, Roy; daughter-in-law, Darly; siblings, Ida Alvey, Loretta Perry, Mildred Tooley, Edna Tremor, Edward, George, Al and Bill. Surviving is his son, Raymond; grandchildren, Julie, Kim, Raymond Jr, and Roger; eight great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; nephew Mike (Vicki) Moran. Also, his good friends who cared for him during his last several years Jane and Jerry Bennett, Cathy Fitzgerald and Donna and Rick Underhill. A special thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice, Deaconess Home Health Nurses, in particular Tammy and Cindy, Respiratory Nurse Cortney, the VA, and Home Instead Caregivers, specifically Heather. A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel with longtime friend, Rev. Joe Mitchell officiating. Military Services will be conducted. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until service time. Memorial contributions may be given to Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, P.O. Box 8234, Evansville IN 47716. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.