Gerald Alan "Jerry" Ripke

Gerald (Jerry) Alan Ripke of Lutheran Life Villages of Ft. Wayne, formerly of Lafayette, was received in heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Jerry was a man of faith always professing the Gospel to those around him. As he longed to reach heaven, he understood that no matter how much Parkinson's disease affected his body, he could continue to preach the Gospel message to those around him. He shared the Gospel at Mulberry Health and at Lutheran Life Villages healthcare facilities, often handing out devotional materials to other residents while also "preaching" in any opportunity he had.
Jerry was born June 21, 1948 to Carl and Alice (de la Motte) Ripke in Ft. Wayne, IN. Jerry entered into Christ's church through the waters of baptism as an infant, and was raised in the faith at Emmanuel Lutheran School in Ft. Wayne. Jerry was a graduate of Concordia High School in 1966 and went on to study education at Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Ann Arbor, MI, then Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, NE. Upon his graduation in 1970, Jerry received his first call to be a Lutheran school teacher at St. Paul's in Annapolis, MD. In 1976, he accepted a call to teach 4th grade at St. James Lutheran School in Lafayette, IN, where he also served as youth director. In 1991 Jerry began his career at Purdue University working in the Admissions office and retired in 2012.
On March 2, 1991, Jerry married his best friend Kristine (Kris) Ply at St. James Lutheran Church.
Jerry was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed watching his children play sports all over the country. He loved being on the golf course with his friends and family, even when he could no longer play. Jerry was also an avid fan of Purdue sports and the Chicago Cubs. Jerry was a long-time member of the Lafayette Jefferson High School Booster club, and was a regular volunteer at the Lafayette Jeff High School welcome desk after his retirement.
Surviving with his wife Kris are his children Caleb Ply (Kristin) of Lafayette; John Ripke (Maddie) of Ft. Wayne; Joel Ripke (Nicole) of Columbus, NE; Peter Ripke (Sara) of Lafayette; and Anna Ripke of Madison, WI. Jerry also loved being a grandfather to Karlie, Thomas, Heidi, Wrigley, Amelia, Gideon, Miriam, Joshua, Cooper, Alice, and Nora. Jerry is also survived by his siblings Barb Pike (Rick), Mark Ripke (Judy), and Phil Ripke (Susan).
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Alice Ripke, and brother David Ripke.
Memorials can be sent to Worship Anew (worshipanew.org), Lutheran Life Villages in Ft. Wayne (www.lutheranlifevillages.org/give), Mulberry Health, or Grace Lutheran Church in Lafayette IN for the Grace Upon Grace campaign.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909 and also from 2:00 pm until the time of the funeral service at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, 102 Buckingham Dr. Lafayette, IN 47909
Interment will be in the Memorial Garden at Grace Lutheran Church at a later date.