John William Ripley, 70, of Decatur, died at 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2007 in the Adams Memorial Hospital. John was born in Decatur on July 23, 1937 to Leland Ripley and Midge (Davis) Ripley, who are both deceased. John graduated in 1955 from the Adams Central High School. Following his high school education, John attended and graduated from Illinois University in 1962 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. On June 25, 1966, he was united in marriage to Ann Sue (Monnot) Ripley and she survives. John was also a veteran of the United States Army, where he attained the rank of Sergeant E-5 in the Artillery Regiment. John was in law enforcement as a jailer for the Adams County Sheriffs Department. Prior to his law enforcement career, John was also employed as a carpenter with Roe-Ripley Construction Company in Decatur for many years. John was a member of the Union United Methodist Church, where he was a Youth Counselor and Teacher. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #571 in Decatur where he was a senior deacon. John is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sue Ripley of Decatur, Indiana; 2 sons: William T. (Annette) Ripley of Noblesville, Indiana and Jeffrey J. (Tricia) Ripley of New Haven, Indiana; a sister, Enid Roberts of Columbus, Indiana; brother, Charles E. (Norma) Ripley of Plymouth, Indiana; brother, Roger D. (Betty) Ripley of Decatur, Indiana; brother, Marcus J. (Penny) Ripley of Decatur, Indiana; brother, Thomas M. (Arvilla) Ripley of Lexington, Kentucky; brother, Michael K. (Emily) Ripley of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; sister, Laura Pauline (Marvin) Joray of Wentworth, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Marlene (Jim) Habegger of Decatur, Indiana; and 3 Grandkids whom he dearly loved. John was preceded in death by a brother, David Ripley. Funeral services for John will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur with Rev. Fred Woodward officiating. Burial will follow in the Decatur Cemetery. Friends and family will be received from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur. Preferred memorials for John are to the Union United Methodist Church or Family Hospice of Northeast Indiana.
