Lucille S. (Swisher) Rippel

Lucille S. (Lucy) Rippel, age 91, of Forward Township, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at The Residence at Hilltop. Lucy was born on March 17, 1933, in Elizabeth, and was the daughter of the late Robert and Sara Jane (Roberts) Swisher. In 1954, she married Albert P. “Bud” Rippel, and they enjoyed a long and happy life together at their home, Rippel Farm, in Forward Township, until his passing in November 2018. Throughout her life, Lucy made sure to note the beauty around her, and encouraged others to notice it too.  Some of her favorite things included:  fragrant lilacs, the beautiful night sky, the soft pink blooms of dogwood trees, and the beating wings of the ruby-throated hummingbirds that flocked to her feeders every spring and summer.  Her memory lives on each time we notice one of these beautiful things too. Lucy’s Christian faith was very important to her, and she shared it with many.  In her later years, she spent time ministering to others by sharing a favorite book, Jesus Calling, with those she thought might need some extra encouragement.  There is no doubt she impacted many lives with this thoughtful gift. She was a dedicated mother and an especially gifted grandmother.  Lucy had a special habit of praying for her many family members each day— in order, from oldest to youngest.  She was always thrilled when she was able to add another family member to her list with the addition of great-grandchildren over the years! She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert P. “Bud” Rippel.  Lucy is survived by her daughters, Nancy Ann (Kenneth) Hall of Picayune, MS and Cindy Lou Halliday of Acworth, GA; and her sons, Ronald A. (Debbie) Rippel of Forward Township, and C. David Rippel of Forward Township.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Summer (Jonathan) Pepe of Elizabeth Township, Joel (Julie Anne) Rippel of Forward Township, Kristine (Blake) Gibasiewicz of Irwin, Jason Rippel of Forward Township, Jeremy Rippel of Forward Township, Douglas (Kristen Hunter) Hall of St. Louis, MO, Julie (Trent) Marchman of Jackson, MS, and Logan Halliday of Acworth, GA; as well as her great-grandchildren, Parker and Peyton Pepe, JD and Jolene Rippel, Danielle and Andi Gibasiewicz, Rudy and Jaclyn Hall, and Carter and Ava Marchman.  She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to her compassionate and dedicated caregiver, Zoe Forsythe. Lucy was deeply loved and will be forever missed. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6 to 8 PM.  A funeral service will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11 AM in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Donna Schmoyer officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery in Elizabeth Township.

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