Guy Alan Ripka

Guy Alan Ripka, 71, of Germantown Hills died at 8:50 a.m., November 4, 2011 at Kindred Hospital in Peoria, IL with his wife, Trudy, and step-daughter, Della beside him. He was born May 16, 1940 in Kewanee, IL to Guy Walter and Marjorie (Kildow) Ripka. They preceded him in death. He married Trudy Jean Davis (Richards) on June 20, 1987, at East Peoria First Methodist Church in East Peoria, IL. She survives. Also, surviving are his daughter, Tara Morningstar Ripka, his son, Stephen Guy Ripka, both at home; a step-daughter Julia Richards of Vermont; step-daughter Della (Chad) Stewart of Peoria, IL; step-son Dane (Jessica) Richards, two grandchildren, CJ and Will Richards of Toulon, IL; a brother-in-law Rev. C. Scott (Lynn) Davis of Otterbein, IN, and sister-in-law Colleen M. Davis of Palm Harbor, FL; his favorite aunt, Erma Souder of Mississippi; nieces and nephews, 2 brothers and a sister. Guy attended and graduated summa cum laude in 1964 from Western Illinois University where he was active in three social studies? honor societies and football. He wrote his Master?s thesis on land reclamation of strip mines in Fulton County, IL. He taught civics, geography, and economics to over 7,000 students at East Peoria Community High School and ICC, many of whom entered law, business, medicine, the military, law enforcement, teaching, and fire fighting due to his influence. He retired from teaching in 2002. He played 3 seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive tackle and roomed with Hall of Famer Buch Buchanan. He served his country as a sergeant in the United States Army in the capacity of cryptographer, military intelligence, and guard. When he was young, he raised prized hogs in Kewanee and Galva with his father. He was a member of RiversEdge United Methodist Church in Spring Bay, IL where memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday Nov. 12, 2011 with Rev. Dr. Joe Richard officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Cremation Rites have been accorded. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be given to his church; and or a memorial fund established at Heartland Bank for Stephen Guy Ripka and Tara Morningstar Ripka. Although a very big man, he was a gentle giant always willing to help another. He loved loving his family and being with them. The family wishes to thank: Rev. Dr. Joe Richard, Dr. Glen Sidler, Dr. Daniel O?Brien and their staff; Dr. Michael Veeter; Dr. Om Sureka and his therapy staff; Dr. Tom Szymke and his therapy staff; Julie Grap, R.N. and Mary Beth Jenkins, L.P.N.; the nurses and staff of Proctor, St. Francis, Methodist, and Kindred Hospitals.