RIPPEY, Robert W. "Bob"

RIPPEY, FELTON, DALE, LINDSEY, SCHOONOVER, DEEMER, REDMAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/12/2017 at 13:19:17

Obituary ~ Robert “Bob” W. Rippey
June 21, 1925 - January 08, 2017

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Having the same birth town as actor John Wayne, Robert W. Rippey was born June 21, 1925, in Winterset, Iowa to Olin L. and Pauline Dean (Felton) Rippey. He was an only child, but he was blessed with lots of cousins that took the place of having brothers and sisters.

The family moved to Leon in 1926, where Olin and Pauline opened Rippey’s United Food Market on the north side of the Leon square. There, Bob spent his growing up years during the Depression, as well as spending his time on his bicycle and at the swimming pool, that was built by the government’s WPA program. Bob attended school in Leon, graduating with the class of 1943, where he was a drummer in the band, a fourth generation tradition that great granddaughter, Mary, continues today. After graduation, Bob continued to work in the grocery store, later becoming the meat cutter.

Having lost a good portion of his hearing as a young child from scarlet fever, Bob remained home working for area farmers who’s sons were serving their country in WWII.

On January 18, 1948, Bob married Thelma Lucille Dale at Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon. Daughter, Bobette, was born in 1951, and son, John, in 1957. They closed the store in 1962, and Bob became a full time farmer on the farm located east of Leon where he remained until moving to Westview Acres last September.

Grandview Farm was a typical farm of its era raising corn, beans, hay, cattle, sheep and hogs, as well as chickens, horses, cats and dogs. Bob always had at least one dog by his side at all times and was especially proud of his Polled Herefords. Bob and Thelma always had a large garden and lots of flowers. In later years, Bob managed the farm from his 4-wheeler and enjoyed mowing the large yard going at “Bob’s speed.” Bob was possessive of the tools from the tool bench and the user was a “nervous wreck” until they were returned to their exact spot.

Over the years, Bob was a 4-H leader, served on the Decatur County Extension Council, was a Center Township Trustee, and worked on many election boards. Bob and Thelma were 50+ year members of Eastern Star and Bob was also a 50+ year member of Grand River Lodge A.F. and A.M. Masonic Lodge in Leon. He was a longtime member of Loving Chapel joining at the age of 15 in 1940.

Bob was a volunteer to encourage area farmers to sign up to have rural water brought to the area. Once it became a reality, Bob’s cows enjoyed its benefit, because he didn’t hook it up to the house until just recently.

Bob enjoyed attending the grandkids and great grandkids many sports events and having wiener roasts and fireworks at the farm.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Thelma, in 2008; son-in-law, Gary Lindsey, in 2010; his in-laws, Chester and Virginia (Schoonover) Dale and siblings-in-law, Helen and Ralph Deemer, Joe and Glada Dale, and Mary and Barrett Dale.

Survivors include his children, Bobette Lindsey and John and Charlotte Rippey, all of Leon; grandchildren, Corey and Tonya Lindsey, Cody and Maggie Lindsey, TyLea and Kyle Redman, and TeAnna Kate Rippey; great grandchildren, Mary, Maizee, and Macson Lindsey, Breegan and Luke Lindsey, and Avery and Peyton Redman; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Orville and Ruth Dale of Leon; nieces and nephews; cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Leon, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2017, with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the Loving Chapel United Methodist Church in Bob’s memory. P>

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2017

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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