Obituary of Merrill Dean Ripka

Merrill Dean Ripka, 89, of State College, died February 7, 2016 at Centre Crest Nursing Home in Bellefonte. Born July 15, 1926 in State College, he was the son of Carl F. Ripka and Grace Confer Ripka. He married Lucille Hoy on November 15, 1947 who survives at home. He is survived by four children, Diane Craig (Everett) of Milesburg, Stephen Ripka of Spring Mills, Dennis Ripka (Jeanne) of Julian, Barbara Ream (David) of Bellefonte, and half-brother Carl Ripka (Linda) of State College, and half-sister Cecila Hockenberry of Milesburg; five grandchildren, Lisa Brown, Beth Ann Wallace, Tobi Ripka, Chad Ripka, Jessica Ream; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six sisters, infant Yvonne Ripka, Joyce Osmond, Leona Fowler, Shirley Hockenberry, Lorna Fornicola, Nancy Eisenacher and brother, Cyrus Ripka and half-sister, Carolyn Moyer, step-mother, Pauline Ripka and daughter in law, Beatrice Ripka. Merrill served in the Navy during WWII on the USS Bennett. Merrill attended State College Area School. He was employed with Chemcut Corporation in State College and retired in 1989. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College. A mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with the Reverend Michael Wolfe officiating. Friends will be received at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 850 Stratford Drive, State College, following the mass. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park, State College. Memorial contributions may be directed to Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, 800 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.