John Rippeth

John L. Rippeth, 83, of Chillicothe, passed away Tuesday September 11, 2007, at 8:03am in Adena Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at Noon Saturday, September 15, at the Haller Funeral Home with Pastor B. Jay Dailey officiating. Military graveside services conducted by the Ross Co. Honor Guard will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may call 5-8pm Friday and 10:00am until Noon Saturday at Haller Funeral Home. A Masonic funeral will be held at 8:00pm Friday at Haller's conducted by the Frankfort Lodge 309, F & AM. John was born June 2, 1924, in Jackson, OH, to the late Harley and Sadie Chambers Rippeth. On September 7, 1946, he married the former Virginia E. Luster, who survives. Also surviving are his daughters Cathy Cox; Jill Merriman; daughters and sons-in-law Beth (Martin) Litter; Lisa (Kelly) Hill; son and daughter-in-law David (Joan) Rippeth; son Tim Rippeth, all of Chillicothe; grandchildren: Amy (Max) Stafford; Eric (Robin) Rippeth; Cory (Tori) Cox; Casey Cox; Lyndsi Litter; Corbin Hill; Collin Hill; Luke Rippeth; Landon Rippeth; step-grandchildren: Jeff Tatman, Traci Tatman; and Jansen Litter; great-grandchildren: Halle Rippeth; Ezra Rippeth; Lillianna Stafford; and Carson Cox; a step-great-grandchild Chelsie Tatman; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Rich Merriman; 5 sisters; 4 brothers; and several nieces and nephews. John retired from the Mead Paper Co. in 1986 following 38 years of service. He then worked for the Spot-Free car wash for 20 years. He served both his country and his community. He was a Master Sergeant in the Army during WWII. He was a member of the Frankfort Lodge 309, F & AM; American Legion, Post 757; VFW, Post 107; the Cavalier Club; a Kentucky Colonel; and an active volunteer in the community, especially working many fish fry. John was inducted into the Chillicothe Cavalier Hall of Fame in 1996. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rich Merriman Scholarship Fund, c/o Jeff Doles of Oak Hill Banks, PO Box 1973, Chillicothe, OH 45601.