John F. Ripper, 71, of New Brighton, passed away Sunday September 24, 2017, in the emergency room at Heritage Valley Beaver.

Born on April 4, 1946 in New Brighton a son of the late Fred and Alma (Gluntz) Ripper. He was a 1964 graduate of New Brighton High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving his country as a teletype in Vietnam. He attended Paul Smith College in New York. An avid golfer, he looked forward to playing each summer with Rego, Gaylord and his other friends in the New Brighton American Legion League and the Blackhawk League. John attended the First Presbyterian Church of Monaca.  

Jon was a 50 year member of the New Brighton American Legion, Post #19 and retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad with over 30 years of service. He enjoyed planning the summer beach vacations for the entire family. Ocean City, Maryland was the special place, but other beaches along the East Coast were given a chance.  In 2016 members from Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina met at Nags Head Outer Banks and created a week of wonderful family memories.

Surviving are his wife of 36 years Carol (Dietrich) Ripper; daughter Michelle (Brian) Daniels, New Brighton; son Michael (Lisa) Ripper, Franklin; two grandchildren Faith Daniels and Harrison Ripper; brother Frank (Janet) Ripper, New Brighton; sister Judith Flint, Marietta, GA; brother-in-law Kenneth (Susan) Dietrich, Monaca; sister-in-law Nancy (David) Miladin, Concord, NC; numerous nieces, nephews and their families.   

Friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 in the J&J Spratt Funeral home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, where prayer will be held Thursday at 10:30am followed by funeral service at 11:00am in the First Presbyterian Church, 1301 Indiana Avenue, Monaca, with Rev. Beth Wierman officiating.

Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester.

Members of the Beaver County Special Unit will in the cemetery Thursday at 11:30am to provide full military honors.

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