Eldon Rippee

Maj. Eldon T. (‘Don) Rippee passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 18, 2018. He was born on October 9, 1939 to Oda Victor and Lavina (Jones) Rippee in Springfield MO.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Judith Marie (Krischel) on May 5, 1962. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1957, he received his BS in Chemistry from SMS (now MSU) and completed ROTC to enter the army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the artillery in Germany before joining the Chemical Corps. He was with the artillery portion of the First Cavalry in Vietnam serving also as a Chemical Officer there. After Vietnam he was Post Chemical Officer at Fort Benning and then Executive Officer of the 2nd Smoke Battalion at Fort McClellan. He was the Readiness Officer of the 1st COSCOM of the US Army at Fort Bragg where his health had deteriorated to the point of retirement. However, Department of the Army gave special permission for him to develop yet another readiness program for the 13th COSCOM at Fort Hood where he finally medically retired in 1976 and returned to Springfield, MO to be closer to family. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight of St. Anne’s 698 and Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree. He worked at the new K of C Hall then became Director of the Catholic Cemeteries, Springfield for ten years. A convert to Catholicism, he was a faithful parishioner of St. Agnes Cathedral for many years serving as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and part of the Military Support Group there.

He is survived by Judy, his wife of 56 years, his four children and their spouses: Edward Rippee and Nancy Eastman, Bruce and Valerie Rippee, Helen (Rippee) and Chuck Rapp, James and Dedra Rippee, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Phyllis Rippee
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A wake will be held at Lohmeyer Funeral Home with Rosary at 6pm and Prayer Service at 6:30pm and visitation to follow Sunday July 22, 2018 with Fr. Joseph Kelly officiating.

Funeral Mass will be at 10am Monday July 23, 2018 in St. Agnes Cathedral with Fr. Lewis Hejna, celebrant.

Committal services with full military honors will be at 9am Tuesday July 24, 2018 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Cathedral 533 S. Jefferson Ave. Springfield, MO 65806.

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