Dorothy Louise Rippel

Dorothy Louise Rippel, 97, of New Philadelphia, passed on into Heaven with her family by her side on Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Country Club Retirement Center at Dover as her grandson-in-law, Scott Miller, sang her favorite song, “Amazing Grace”.

A daughter of the late John Edward and Mary Emma (Loveday) Garver, Dorothy was born February 11, 1924 at Tuscarawas, Ohio.

On October 30, 1942, Dorothy married William F. Rippel and they raised one daughter, Nancy. The couple shared 50 years of marriage prior with William’s passing in 1991.

Dorothy was known for her unwavering Christian faith along with her study and knowledge of the Bible and being a great prayer warrior. She dedicated much of her time sharing her faith with others too. Along with William, they were leaders of the youth group at Church of God and as a member of the First Christian Church at New Philadelphia, Dorothy was quite active in the Ladies Bible Study Group.

She was a member of the Tuscarawas County Senior Center where she enjoyed meeting friends for lunch and playing cards. Dorothy also volunteered much of her time at the Carousel Kids Preschool and at Hospice Browse & Buy.

Dorothy’s greatest passion in life however was her family and spending time with them. She cherished the memories of boating on Atwood Lake with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, attending art shows and vacationing numerous times out west. She was also quite fond of the 18 years she and William wintered in Florida as Ohio “Snowbirds” and hosting family and friends during their time there.

During her later years, Dorothy took great joy in being a grandmother and great-grandmother and was affectionately known as “Gee Gee” to her grandchildren. She was also fondly known as “Aunt Doe” to her many nieces and nephews and their families whom she also loved dearly.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Wendell Shaffer of New Philadelphia; her grandson, Todd (Beth) Shaffer of Scottsdale, Arizona; her granddaughter, Tricia (Scott) Miller of New Philadelphia, her great-grandchildren, Madison and Derrek Miller and Jamie Durishin; a brother, J. Daniel (Lela) Garver and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant brother, George Garver and sister, H. Caroline Reed.

A graveside service will take place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at Dover with Pastor Lu Ann Youngman officiating. Then, everyone is invited, including guests who may not be able to join the service at the cemetery, for a reception in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia starting at 12 p.m.

Contributions may be made in Dorothy’s memory to a mission that was dear to her heart, Global Seeds c/o Andrew Mueller, 617 Culmore Drive, Farquay Varina, NC 27526.