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Michael Rippe Obituary
Obituary
Michael G. Rippe, 46, of Fort Myers passed away Wednesday March 12, 2008. He was raised in the mountains of West Virginia where he loved to fish and hunt. Mike was the director of transportation development with the Florida Department of Transportation in District 1, a 12 county area that includes Lee County.
He was preceded in death by his father Peter J. Rippe.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Jacque, his mother Susan, brother John ( Pam), sister Claudia Stafford, newphews Sean, BJ, and Stephen; nieces Shanon ( Mike) Shannon, Katie (Charles) Scott, and Shelley; also great nieces, great nephew, aunts, uncles and his FDOT family.
A Celebration of Mike's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday March 22nd at Grace Church, 14036 Matanzas Drive, Fort Myers Shores, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Harvey-Engelhard-Metz Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Lynne Wolverton
April 11, 2008
In recent years I haven't seen as much of my cousin Michael as I would have liked. If i had known how short his life would be I surely would have tried harder to see more of him. I love hearing all the stories from his friends and co-workers.
The last time I spent any real time with him was at our Bush family reunion in 2005. He was like the Pied Piper with all the children following him around. They called him "The Fisher Man" I will miss him.
Lisa Burdette-Bowles
April 2, 2008
May God be with you and your family during this sad time. We will always remember and cherish the good times we spent with Mike at Oak Hill High School. Hopefully, some comfort will be had knowing that the classmates of 1979 were saddened to learn about Mike's passing.
Sylvia Petrosky
March 25, 2008
Jacque: I am praying for you & Mike's family daily. I heard how good the celebration was & how God held back the rain until it was over. Mike's been in Heaven a few days now, I wonder if he's seen Sue Myers or Donald Barrett yet. I can only imagine the celebrating going on. I'm sure that Mike is still working the place meeting everyone & worshipping Jesus. Love & Prayers, Sylvia Petrosky
ANGIE NARRON
March 25, 2008
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. DID NOT NEVER GET TO MEET MIKE AND YOURSELF, BUT I'M HIS FIRST COUSIN AND I ALSO JUST LOST MY OLDEST SISTER (NANCY). UNCLE PETE AND AUNT SUSAN HAD TO BE VERY PROUD OF HIM. GOD BLESS YOU.
P.S. I AM ONE OF AUNT HELEN'S DAUGHTERS.
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Debbie and J White
March 25, 2008
Dear Jacque
What a beatiful service on Saturday. What a tribute to a wonderful man. We will miss Mike very much. Wonder how many heavenly hosts have recieved nicknames?
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Margie Willis
March 22, 2008
Dear Jacque
The service for Mike today was perfect and brought smiles to our faces of a person we loved. We are thankful that Mike touched hearts and our lives. We met Mike when we worked out at the Blue Bead. He could always make us laugh in the early mornings which made our day always happy. He certainly will be miss by this community. God Bless you and your family. Lovingly, Ann Seits and Margie Black Willis
Bob Register
March 21, 2008
Jacque,
Although I kind of lost contact with you and Mike when I left SWAO in '98, I will always remember Mike as a real go-getter who enjoyed whatever he was doing. He loved to think outside the box, but he never got too far out in left field. He was a man who knew what he wanted and what was best, and he persevered until he got it. He will be missed by you and all of his friends and associates.
Martha Gibson
March 19, 2008
Jacque-
Thanks for calling to inform me of Mike's death. My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. I love Mike very much.
Sandra Hagan
March 19, 2008
You played hard, you worked hard. You laughed often. You looked on everyone the same. You were a mover and a shaker for the things you believed in. We are happier for having known you!
My prayers are with your wife and family and many, many, friends. We all loved you! (retired FDOT District One Utilities)
Janet Flanigan
March 18, 2008
Jacque,
Mike will be missed by everyone. Each Sunday I looked for his smiling face behind the brunch line at Grace Church. What a smile he shared with all of us-I'm sure God is enjoying that smile right now.
Gwen Pipkin
March 17, 2008
Jacque,
My prayers are with you and your family as you adjust to your loss. I take comfort in knowing that Mike is probably fishing in a heavenly stream right now, free of pain. I'm sure he cracked a joke with St. Peter on the way in, and is entertaining the angels with his hunting and fishing stories. God bless you and keep you. Rest in His loving arms, and trust in Him to give you His peace.
Cindy Erb
March 17, 2008
Jacque,
So sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda Lemieux
March 17, 2008
Mike will be missed. His sense of humor brightened up so many people's lives.
He will not be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
From a former DOT employee and member of the DOT family.
Ben Nelson
March 17, 2008
As Mike would say..."He's good people". He was a good friend, a good man, a smart and dedicated public servant...someone who made this a better place. He made everything fun, everybody smile. My love, prayers and sympathy go out to all those who are missing Mike. Especially his wonderful wife, our dear friend, Jacque.
Ella Forsythe
March 16, 2008
Mike will be missed by all of his family and I will remember all the good times we have. He enjoyed going to the farm in West Virgina and walking in the hills with his family.
Aunt Ella
Melanie Taylor
March 16, 2008
Jacque. So sorry for your loss. Tina's sister Melanie
Tina and Steve Kutchman
March 16, 2008
Jacque, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank Rose
March 16, 2008
I will always cherish the memories of our friendship and good times we had together, hunting, fishing, or just visiting and talking about old times.
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