Michael Ripperger

Michael E. Ripperger, 81, of Eldridge, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at the Davenport Lutheran Home after a five-year battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Funeral Services & Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2017 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Davenport.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge.  Burial will follow at Davenport Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the Eldridge American Legion Post 639.  Memorials may be made to the Eldridge American Legion Post 639 or to the Eldridge Lions Club.

Mike was born February 2, 1935 in Melrose, Iowa, the son of Osmond M. & Marie M. (Callahan) Ripperger.  He attended school in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School.  He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Crall at St. Mary’s Church in Weller, Iowa on June 2, 1956.  The couple lived in Des Moines then moved to the Quad-Cities where he worked for Western Electric.  He completed an electrical apprenticeship at the former Iowa/Illinois Gas & Electric Co.  Mike retired as an Electrical Unit supervisor at Alcoa after 30 years.  During that time, he was a member of the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department serving several years as president.

After retiring, the couple moved to Eldridge where Mike was a member of the Eldridge Utility Board, the Eldridge Lions Club and American Legion Post 639 of Eldridge.  He was also a retiree of the IBEW.  An avid fisherman and hunter, he was a life member of the North American Hunting and Fishing Club.  He enjoyed many days fishing with his special friends on the rivers and lakes.  He also spent many happy deer seasons with his special buddy trying to get that trophy at Wildcat Den.  He enjoyed camping with his family and friends, and traveling with them to different countries.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife and best friend, Mary Ann; his daughter, Jeana Larvenz (Don Van Wychen) of Moline, Illinois, his son, Michael Ripperger of Anamosa, Iowa; his granddaughter, Jamie Clark; his great-grandchildren, Maria Garcia, Eric Lavino and Carmen Tapia;  a great-great granddaughter, Alana Pruett; his sisters, Mary Jane (Roy) Church of Chariton, Iowa, Martha (Robert) Hawkins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Sarah See of Albia, Iowa; and his brothers, Gary (Grace) Ripperger of Burlington, Iowa and William (Susan) Ripperger of Indianola, Iowa.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Mary; and an infant brother, James.