Jill Ripley

Jill Fernne Ripley, beloved wife of Mark W. Ripley, died Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2009, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. She was the daughter of Gary W. Stoneking of Pomona, Kansas and Doreen (Keithley) Kuhlmann of Forsyth, Missouri. She was born on Wednesday, May 21, 1958, in Long Beach, California. Jill was raised and attended Santiago High School in Garden Grove, California, and met the love of her life at a roller skating rink at the age of 16. Mark and Jill were married on June 10, 1978, at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Mark and Jill celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this last June. To this union four children were born, Justin Scott Ripley and his fiancé, Susan Metenosky, of Seattle, Washington, Brandon Joseph Ripley of Lawrence, Kansas, Sheena Christine Ripley and her boyfriend, Trevis Stewart, of Austin, Texas, and Bryson Wayne Ripley of the home. Jill's husband and children were the center of her world. Mark and Jill's life goal was for Jill to be a stay-at-home mom and their children represent the successfulness of that decision. Jill was an excellent seamstress, a wonderful cook, an all around crafter, as well as doing some creative writing. Two years ago, she received her Associates of Art Degree from Neosho County Community College with a 4.0 grade point average. Survivors are her husband, children, parents, one sister, Jodi, and her husband, Kevin Bailey of Batesville, Mississippi, a brother, Jason P. Stoneking and his wife, Beckie of Ottawa, Kansas, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, one of whom is Jerry Lamson and his wife, Jackie, of Ottawa, Kansas, several nieces and nephews, along with three grand-nephews, special friends, Jo and Don Hill of Pomona, Kansas, Barbara Penwarden and Paula Boyle of California, and a host of many friends will mourn the loss of Jill. All who have come in contact with her knew she was a very special woman. We will all miss her dearly. Friends may pay their respects to Jill at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, where the family will meet with friends 7:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 7, 2009, at Pomona United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. with burial at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Quenemo. A celebration of life reception follows at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Memorial College Fund which has been set up for Bryson Wayne Ripley at the Citizens State Bank of Pomona. Memorials may be sent c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.