Dean B. Ripka, 99, of Centre Hall, died Thursday, January 19, 2012, at Lehigh Valley Hospital at Allentown.
He was born December 14, 1912 in Potter Township, a son of the late Bruce Wilbur and Elizabeth Burkholder Ripka.
Dean attended a one room school at Centre Hill and graduated from Centre Hall - Potter High School in 1932. He played baseball with teams that played in pastures, not having dedicated ball fields.
After graduation, he worked on various road projects on Centre County, including the then new Route 322 from Potters Mills to Boalsburg; and for two and one half years at Neidig's Quarry, which is now the Hamilton Ave. Shopping Centre in State College. He then worked at Titan Metals at Bellefonte, more recently known as Cerro Metals until being drafted into the Army during World War II in 1943. He served at the Valley Forge General Hospital for seven months until his position was assumed by the WACCS, after which he was sent home to assist on the family farm and to work at Cerro Metals for the Civil Defense. He retired from Cerro in 1976.
Mr. Ripka's memberships include Trinity United Church of Christ in Centre Hall, a lifetime membership in the Loyal Order of the Moose in Lewistown, being a charter member of American Legion Post 779, organized in 1946, where he served as a past commander and held other offices at the Post, and had the distinction of being the only living charter member. He was a member member the P. O. S. of A at Woodward and of the Farmers and Businessmen's Association at Centre Hall.
Among the things he enjoyed most were spending time with family, fishing, having made 63 annual trips to Canada, the last at age 97, hunting and going to hunting camp, watching football and earlier in life enjoyed watching auto racing. He especially enjoyed attending Grange Fair and having meals in various tents of friends and relatives there.
He is survived by 2 nieces, Margaret Mattern and Wava Grove; 3 nephews, Wendell and Kenneth Royer, and Harold Wallace; 8 great nieces; 7 great nephews; 18 great great nieces; 13 great great nephews; 11 great great great nieces; and 6 great great great nephews.
Mr. Ripka was the last of his generation, having been preceded in death by 4 sisters, Ruth McClintic, Bernice Wallace, Luella Ripka, and Zella Royer, and one brother, Paul Ripka.
Friends will be received from 6 - 9 p. m. Monday, January 23, 2012 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a. m. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at the Funeral Home with the Reverend S. Leigh Pick Officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Centre County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike, State College.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Veteran's Assistance Fund, P. O. Box 901,Bellefonte, PA 16823 (This program benefits veterans who are residents of Centre County)
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com