Leon J. Ripkowski

Pace-Stancil Funeral Home 1304 North Cleveland Dayton, Texas 77535 936-258-5300     936-258-5653 fax pacestancildayton@sbcglobal.net Monday, March 21, 2011 Leon Ripkowski, 91, of Dayton died Sunday, March 20, 2011 in Humble, Texas after an extended illness.  He was born July 26, 1919 in New Waverly, Texas to parents, Stash and Mattie Obrych Ripkowski.  Leon was one of 12 brothers who served in various branches of the military spanning from World War II to the Korean War. He served in the Army during World War II as a M.P. during campaigns in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Rome-Arno and Southern France. He was honorably discharged in 1944 and was awarded an incredible five Bronze Stars.  Mr. Ripkowski was a lifelong resident of Dayton where he was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the VFW Post 5621, American Legion Post 512, and Liberty Rotary Club.  He was well known for his love of gardening both vegetables and roses.  An honorable man will be missed by all who knew him.  Services for Mr. Ripkowski will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at St. Joseph’s the Worker Catholic Church in Dayton with interment to follow at Magnolia Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home with the Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Mr. Ripkowski was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: August Ripkowski, Raymond Ripkowski, Herman Ripkowski, Stanley Ripkowski, Felix Ripkowski, Bill Ripkowski, Bernie Ripkowski and sister:  Virginia Carter.  He is survived by his wife of sixty one years:  Mary Osbolt Ripkowski of Dayton; his son:  John Ripkowski and wife Shari of Dayton; his daughters:  Annette Taylor and husband Jim of Liberty and Jeanette Hale and husband Jay of Dayton;   grandchildren:  Cory Ripkowski and wife Julie of Dayton, Shane Iler of Liberty, Stuart Iler of Liberty, and Brent Hale of Dayton;  one great granddaughter:  Cameron Ripkowski; brothers:  Alex Ripkowski, Franklin Ripkowski, Mike Ripkowski, and  John “Buster” Ripkowski; sisters:  Kathryn Machala, Pearline Tilton and Anna Lee Campbell; also numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.Â