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Galen D. Ripple

Galen D. Ripple, 75, of Ossian, IN, and having family in Huntington County, IN, died Sunday morning, Feb. 16, 2020, at Majestic Care in New Haven.

A 1962 graduate of Bluffton High School, Mr. Ripple served in the United States military for 38 years, serving in the air national guard and the air force, retiring in 2004 as a senior master sergeant. Throughout his military career he received numerous awards including the Air National Guard Senior NCO of the year award twice while working in Washington, DC. He was a member of American Legion Post 241 in Waynedale and attended the Ossian United Methodist Church.

He was born Aug. 1, 1944, in Bluffton to Galen N. and Ida P. Faus Ripple. He married Norma (Bauman) Perry on Aug. 1, 1981, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 25, 2017.

He is survived by two sons, Kevin (Michelle) Ripple, of Bluffton, and Jeffrey (Yazmine) Ripple, of Roanoke; a daughter, Michaela (Mark Christman) Eltzroth,  of Markle; two stepsons, Neal (Betty) Perry of Decatur, and Todd Perry, of Fort Wayne; a brother, Dennis (Sherry) Ripple, of Bluffton; a sister, Cheryl (Mike) Nicholson, of Bluffton; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Calling is Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Goodwin-Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel, 3220E-Ind. 124, Bluffton. A service will be held Friday, Feb. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Rev. David Herr will officiate. Military rites will be conducted immediately following the funeral service at the funeral home by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.  Burial will be at Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne at a later date.

Memorials are to Ossian United Methodist Church or the Bluffton Fraternal Order of Firefighters annual cancer benefit.