Bernice D. Ripley

Bernice Della Ripley, 94, of Machesney Park, Illinois, was welcomed into heaven on Friday, May 27, 2016, in the presence of family. Born November 29, 1921, in Belleville, Illinois to William and Jennie (Kunkel) Krueger. She married John Frederick Hansen Ripley on May 18, 1940, and together they shared 55 years, raising their four children in Sunnyside and Park Ridge, Illinois. Bernice made a career out of taking care of her family and was vice president of the family business, Ripley Resin Engineering Company. In their golden years, John and Bernice relocated to New Port Richey, Florida where they created memories aboard their second yacht, the Rejuvenator II, and enjoyed fine dining with many of their friends. Bernice found comfort in her pets and in all kinds of music and played the ukulele and organ beautifully. She showcased her talents by creating an organ social club in Florida. Bernice loved to entertain the family during the holidays, paying close attention to details and creating memorable holidays that her family cherished.

She is survived by her four children: John (Julie) Ripley, Janice (Lee) Ripley-Eagel, Roger (Michelle) Ripley, and Vicki (Tony Walker) Ripley; fifteen grandchildren Susan (Scott) Bennehoff, Julie (Scott) Edwards, Keith (Melynda) Kroeger, Karen (Brian) Dickerson, Steve Ahrendt, Amy (Michael Kellerman) Strocchia, Heather (Chris) Taylor, Heidi (Marek) Dzik, Robert (Jennifer) Ripley, Sean (Ashley Sayad) Ripley, Erica (Jeff) Jahns, Ryan Ripley, Rachel (Brian) Erens, Collin Ripley, and Patrick Ripley; twenty-nine great-grandchildren: Logan Wessman, Cora Wessman, Connor Wessman, Jason Edwards, Caleb Davis, Ryan Edwards, Samantha Sendra, Ashley Edwards, Tyler Strocchia, Nicholas Haugom, Owen Roenneburg, Tyler Sendra, Zander Ripley, Connor Taylor, Stephanie Sendra, Peyton Ripley, Nina Strocchia, Lucas Taylor, Trenton Sendra, Bella Dzik, Landon Erens, Aidan Kroeger, Christopher Jahns, Kyle (Mona) Dickerson, Cindy Dickerson Barnes, Thomas Dickerson, Kayla Dickerson, Liam Dickerson, and Kimberly Dickerson; four great-great-grandchildren: Daylah Barnes, Merissa Henry, James Henry, and Annabeth Henderson; beloved grandpuppies: MacDuff, Marley, Penny, Fuzz and Webster; and was predeceased by her parents Jennie Koehn and William Krueger; her husband John Ripley; her sisters Ruth Nyhus, Esther Alsdorf, and Dorothy Shupe; her granddaughter Kimberly (Mark) Sendra; her great-grandson Sean Dickerson; and her beloved and devoted terrier Misty.

Funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois. Visitation at 1:00 until time of service. Entombment next to her husband at Meadowlawn Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, Florida.