David Peter Ripplinger

David Peter Ripplinger, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away at the Hospitals of Providence-Transmountain Hospital in El Paso, Tuesday, February 10, 2026. He was born on July 7, 1936, in Augusta, Wisconsin, to David P Ripplinger and Marian Claire Derry. The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, early in Dave's life. Dave attended School in West Allis, Wisconsin. He graduated from West Allis Central High School in 1954. Dave enlisted in the Army after High School and served 20 Years. He retired in 1975. He was a paratrooper and served for many years in Air Defense Missile Batteries. He was deployed overseas several times, including assignments to Korea, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. Dave's final assignment was to Fort Bliss, where he made his home after retirement. While assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he married Mary Lou Elliott on August 31, 1957. Dave and Mary Lou had 3 children. Janet, Kris and David Elliott Ripplinger. Dave and Mary Lou was divorced in 1980 in El Paso. During retirement Dave spent time caring for his two aunts in Montana but returned to the El Paso area after they passed away. In both Texas and Montana, Dave enjoyed buying and selling guns and attending gun shows. He helped his gun dealer friends with their displays. Dave met Ellen Schwab through these activities. They married on July 16, 2014, about a year after Ellen's husband Ralph Schwab died, in Bozeman, Montana. Dave and Ellen spent summers in Montana and winters in Mississippi and Las Cruces.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his son David Elliott Ripplinger and by his first wife, Mary Lou Ripplinger. Survived by his wife Ellen Oesterle Schwab Ripplinger, a sister Marcia Ripplinger Roller, two daughters, Janet Diamanti (David), Kris Wallace (Kevin Hall), and daughter-in-law Jennifer Devoe Ripplinger. Grandchildren: James "Jimmy" Diamanti (Natalie), Jesse Diamanti Quero (Matt), Faith Diamanti, Aaron Ripplinger (Kristen), Hannah Ripplinger and Frederick " Freddy" Ripplinger. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11 am at the La Paz-Grahams Funeral Home located at 555 West Amador Ave, Las Cruces.

Internment at a later date in the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena, Montana.