Geraldine "Gerry" Ripke

Geraldine Ann (Fahrer) Ripke, 87, of Liberty Center, Ohio passed away peacefully February 11, 2025 on the one year anniversary of her sons deaths. Geraldine was born on March 29, 1937 to Albert P. and Helene (Mengerink) Fahrer and grew up in Malinta, Ohio. At the age of 14, her mother passed, leaving her duties to care for her father and brothers. Geraldine, aka “Gerry” was a faithful member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Holgate, Ohio. Gerry married Keith Sheller in 1957, and he preceded her in death in 2016. Together they had five children, David, Julie, Daniel, Lisa, and Keith II. In 1966, they purchased the family business, Trucker’s Paradise outside of Liberty Center. Gerry loved owning the restaurant and served the patrons for over 54 years. Still to this day, many of her grandchildren refer to her as “Grandma Restaurant”. She loved to make them Mickey Mouse pancakes, as well as a breakfast creation called “The Mess”. Gerry enjoyed her patrons as they shared their stories and built lasting relationships over the years. She was well known over Northwest Ohio for her homemade pies with coconut cream always being the popular favorite. Gerry married Lynn Ripke in 1981, and he preceded her in death in 2020. They shared 38 years together and enjoyed traveling to wherever her youngest son, Keith, was stationed. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of being surrounded by family and friends, pontoon rides down the river, and a big pot of stew on the riverbank are some of her favorite memories. She was fond of her cats and dogs. She is survived by her children, David Sheller, Julie Hoffman, and Lisa (Brad) Whitford; 12 grandchildren, Cory, Jenna, Brent, Heather, Alisha, Joetta, Christina, Nicholas, Amy, Leah, Ashley, and Alex, 21 great grandchildren with one on the way; and a brother George Fahrer; step children, Brad (Chris) Ripke, Bart Ripke, Marsha (Phil) Wharry, Brian (Pam) Ripke, Tom (Keasha) Ripke, and Tara (Scott) Buehrer; 22 step grandchildren, and 33 step great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Daniel and Keith II; and brothers, Albert and Lewis. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 18th from 2-8:00p.m. at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19th at the funeral home, with visitation from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville, Ohio. Memorial contributions are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Tributes

Geraldine "Gerry" Ripke

March 29, 1937 - February 11, 2025