Virgil E. Ripperda, 99 years old, of Trenton, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Evercare of Breese.
Born May 8, 1926, the third child of the late Bernard and Frances, nee Eilers, Ripperda in Germantown. He married Florentine, nee Ratermann, on November 9, 1949, at St. Dominic Church in Breese and she proceeded him in death on September 7, 2011.
In 1945, he trained in the U.S. Army’s horse calvary at Fort Riley, Kan. during World War II (1945-1946), which is where his firm belief in civil duty began. He continued his community service working for the Clinton County 911 Board as the address coordinator for the new emergency system for two decades and then 10 years on the 911 Committee. He also served as a Trenton alderman 1981-1993 and then was elected mayor of Trenton and served from 1993-1997.
Virgil was a dedicated Ford car, truck and diesel mechanic for 28 years at the Belleville Auffenberg dealership, retiring in 1988. However, always one to stay busy, in retirement he worked for Voss Pecans helping with harvest and sorting pecans and he worked at Moss Funeral Home for many years as a funeral coordinator.
He leaves behind his loving children, Judy (Tom) Wolters of Bloomington, Karen (Ralph) Voss of Carlyle, and Brian (Karen) Ripperda of Trenton. In addition, his devoted grandchildren, Erika (Jared Murphree) Curtis of San Antonio, TX, Jason (Kellen) Wolters of St. Louis, MO., Jared (Lisa) Voss of Beaver Prairie, Justin (Marcy) Voss of Germantown, Allison (Ryan) Netemeyer of Breese, Patric (Kayla) Ripperda of Godfrey, and Michael Ripperda of Trenton and one sister-in-law Rita Ratermann. As well as his adored great grandchildren – Abby, Alex, Aiden, Aubrey, Calvin and Charlotte Voss, Garrett Wolters, and Landon and Grayson Netemeyer.
He was preceded in death by parents-in-law, Henry and Catherine (nee Feltrop) Ratermann; brothers, sisters, and in-laws, Cyril Ripperda, Eugene (Valeria) Ripperda, Norbert (Delores) Ripperda, Loretta (Julian) Frey, Johanna (Paul) Rakers, Robert (Kathleen) Ripperda; and in-laws, Alfred, Richard, Ralph and Melvin Ratermann, Sylvester (Mary Louise) Ratermann, Alvina (Victor) Voss, Agnes (Ted) Detmer, Olivia (Orville) Landmann, Henry “Bud” (Verna) Ratermann and Jerry Ratermann.
Virgil was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Choir, past Trenton VFW Post 7983 Commander, American Legion member, seventy-three-year Knights of Columbus Council 2932 member, and honorary St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary member, along with other community organizations, and the Illinois Nut Tree Association.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. Geroge Zieba presiding and Deacon Tom Ritzheimer assisting. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery with full military honors. A luncheon will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Hall for Virgil’s family and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and again Monday, March 16, 2026, from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to Southern Illinois Land of Lincoln Honor Flights or St. Mary Cemetery and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 105 S. Main St. Trenton, IL 62293, who is serving the family.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.mossfuneralhome.com
