Norman Rippee's Obituary
Norman Earl Rippee, son of James Bruton and Manda Josephine (Williams) Rippee was born August 23, 1944 in Ava, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, December 31, 2010 in St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri at the age of sixty-six years, four months and eight days.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother.
Norman is survived by two daughters, Dana Rippee and Tara Rippee, both of Seymour, Missouri; his son, Shane Smith and his wife, Leslie, of Ava, Missouri; one granddaughter, Manda Lee Rippee; four brothers, Lawrence Rippee, Wayne Rippee and his wife, Charlotte, and Kenneth Rippee and his wife, Susan; and Marvin Rippee and his wife , Pat, of Hartville, Missouri; one sister, Betty Pittman and her husband, Garrett, of Seymour, Missouri; a very special friend who was like a brother, Larry Flores and his wife, Jannie, and sons, Justin and Jake, of Shell Knob, Missouri; seventeen nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
Norman was born in Ava and grew up in Seymour. He served two years with the United States Army during the Vietnam War and then returned to Seymour to make his home. He had owned and operated a bulldozer and backhoe business for several years and had worked at Ridwell Corporation in Springfield. He had also worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Webster County Special Road District for several years. He was a Master Mason and member of Hazelwood Lodge #459 A.F. & A.M. in Seymour.
In his spare time he enjoyed collecting and working on old classic cars, with his favorite being a 1956 T-Bird. He loved to travel and being outdoors going fishing and hunting. He loved spending time with his family, especially his daughters and granddaughter.
Norman was a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories that he created for all who knew and loved him.
Services are Wednesday,at 1:00 p.m. January 5, 2011 in Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Seymour, Mo. Burial with full military honors will be in Goss Cemetery south of Seymour under direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Seymour. Visitation will be 7-8:00 P.M.,Tuesday in the funeral home with Masonic services beginning at 7:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goss Cemetery Fund in car of Holman-Howe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 366, Seymour, Mo. 65746.
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