John A. Ripkey

May 18, 1934 - December 2, 2013

John A. Ripkey, 79, formerly of Boone, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on Monday, December 2, 2013. He was born on May 18, 1934 in Gilbert, Iowa the son of John J. and Iva Evelyn (Kersey) Ripkey. John graduated from Gilbert High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Navy serving from 1953 to 1957. He graduated from Iowa State Teacher’s College (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1961 and taught at the Boone High School for a number of years. He also owned and operated the Aluminum Products Company in Boone before retiring. His parents and 2 sisters, Marie Ripkey and Arlene Shuey, preceded him in death. Survivors include 3 sons John Mark Ripkey of Portland, Oregon, Brad Ripkey and wife Betty of Costa Rica and Steve Ripkey and wife Tracy of Washington, D.C.; 2 daughters Beth Ripkey-Morgan of Lamont, Iowa and Rebecca Fraetis and husband Pete of Boone, Iowa; 10 grandchildren Andrea Arispe, Nate Ripkey, Alena, Alec and Abby Morgan, and Thomas, Isabelle, Jacob, James, and Andrew Fraetis; 2 great-grandchildren Sophie and Emily Arispe; 4 sisters Velva Hogfelt and husband Jim of Rockford, Illinois, Virginia Otto of Indian River, Michigan, Theda Gammon and Vera Ripkey both of Ames, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews. John’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held on Friday afternoon, December 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Boone with Rev. Sarah Karber officiating with presentation of the flag by the Naval Operation Support Command of Des Moines. Interment will be held at a later date. Immediately following the memorial service, the family will have a time of fellowship in the Church Fellowship Hall to greet friends and have refreshments. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct their gift to the Boone County Sportsman Club or to the family in care of Rebecca Fraetis, 781 Kale Road, Boone, Iowa 50036.