Virgil E. Ripperda

Virgil E. Ripperda, 99, of Trenton, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, at Evercare of Breese.

Born on May 8, 1926, in Germantown, he was the third child of the late Bernard and Frances, nee Eilers, Ripperda. He married Florentine, nee Ratermann, on November 9, 1949, at St. Dominic Church in Breese. She preceded him in death on September 7, 2011.

In 1945, Virgil trained with the U.S. Army’s horse cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas, during World War II, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to civil duty. He served his community for many years as address coordinator for the Clinton County 911 Board, later serving on the 911 Committee. He also served as a Trenton alderman from 1981 to 1993 and as mayor of Trenton from 1993 to 1997. A skilled mechanic, he worked for 28 years as a Ford car, truck, and diesel technician at the Belleville Auffenberg dealership, retiring in 1988. In retirement, he remained active, assisting with pecan harvest and sorting for Voss Pecans and serving as a funeral coordinator for Moss Funeral Home.

Virgil is survived by his children, Judy (Tom) Wolters of Bloomington, Karen (Ralph) Voss of Carlyle, and Brian (Karen) Ripperda of Trenton; his grandchildren, Erika (Jared Murphree) Curtis of San Antonio, Texas, Jason (Kellen) Wolters of St. Louis, Missouri, 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 his great-grandchildren, Abby, Alex, Aiden, Aubrey, Calvin, and Charlotte Voss, Garrett Wolters, and Landon and Grayson Netemeyer. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rita Ratermann.

He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Henry and Catherine, nee Feltrop, Ratermann, as well as his brothers, sisters, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law. A longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church and choir, Virgil also served as past commander of the Trenton VFW Post 7983, was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus Council 2932 for seventy-three years, and held honorary membership in the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary.