Sue Ann Ripley

With a delightful smile, quick wit, infectious laugh, Sue Ann Ripley was a fun-loving woman who lived a life rich in family and friends. A person who always led with her heart, Sue welcomed every person as a friend and was quick to lend a hand in the service of others. People flocked to her and loved to chat and laugh about all of life's silliness. Always eager to give a hug in celebration of life's joy and to soften life's hardships, Sue touched, moved, and inspired everyone who was blessed to know her to live a whole-hearted life. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Sue will long be remembered and ever so missed. The mobilization of war efforts in 1942 was quick and effective, with carmakers and other manufacturers changing to the production of weapons of war. Gas rationing, Scrap Days, and Victory Gardens became the norm. At the same time, The Declaration of the United Nations, the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and The Voice of America assured that every citizen had their eyes focused on a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in Muncie, Indiana, as Lawrence "Larry" and Elizabeth "Betty" (Strait) Miller welcomed their daughter Sue into their family on June 16. The story of Sue's birth is legendary, for Larry and Betty had no idea they were expecting twins until after their daughter Jo Ellen was born. Eight minutes after welcoming Jo Ellen, her fraternal twin and life long best friend, Susie arrived. Growing up in The Garden City of the World, Susie's early years were rooted in family, faith, and the values of hard work and generosity. While her father worked for the electric company Betty did the accounting for Ball Stores. Their moderate-sized central Indiana town was the home of the Ball State Cardinals and quickly came to know the twins by their matching attire. Their mom always dressed them alike, but in signature colors. Sue’s was blue and Jodie’s, pink. As a child, Susie was always full of fun and easily thought of ways she and her sister could get in trouble. Whether talking and laughing well after "lights out," playing in the mud, garter snakes in her pocket, or "selling" mud pies, Susie made every day a day filled with joy. She pretended she was a horse and pulled Jodie in the wagon, and enjoyed skipping rope, playing Jacks, swinging on the swings, and riding horses with her cousins from Pennville. She loved everything that involved water, including diving, boating, water skiing, going to Lake Tippecanoe. The family’s membership at Tuhey Park, often found Sue swimming in the pool, and playing tennis and softball. A strong and active student, Sue participated in the girls' glee club, art club, book guild, Spanish club, tri-high-y, and cheer block for the Muncie Bearcats. Her discipline and eagerness to learn also earned her induction to the National Honor Society. Her fun nature led to many wonderful friendships, for everyone who met her instantly loved her. After proudly graduating with the Muncie Central High School class of 1960, Susie attended Ball State University and earned her Associate's Degree as a secretary. In 1963, Susie married Richard "Dick" Eugene Campbell. She and Dick first met in middle school and began dating while in high school. In time, Susie and Dick were blessed to welcome two children to their family, and Kris and Brian quickly became the centers of Susie's world. She devoted herself to ensuring they grew up in a loving and supportive home. Though she and Dick amicably divorced in 1979, she was forever grateful for their marriage's greatest gift, their children. She and Dick remained close friends throughout their entire lives. Life gifted Susie with the good fortune of being introduced to Robert (Bob) Ripley by a mutual friend at the Upjohn Company, where Susie worked as an HR Technician for more than 25 years. Instantly smitten, the pair began dating and were soon a couple setting their eyes on sharing the future. They married in 1988 and enjoyed many adventures until Bob passed on June 19, 2013, from cancer. During their years together, Sue and Bob shared a love of water and boating, socializing with friends, and traveling to warm, sunny destinations. They both loved watching sports in general but had a special passion for Notre Dame football and the (dreadful) Detroit Lions. Sue loved EVERY Indiana basketball team but was an avid IU Hoosier fan. Sue especially loved following her daughter's softball career, and as a couple, Bob and Sue would travel with the team to watch tournaments. Without a doubt, Sue's deepest happiness came from being surrounded by the people she loved. When her family grew to include grandchildren, she welcomed her new role with much enthusiasm. She cherished every moment with her grandkids and was their biggest fan. She cheered on Rich's soccer games and attended Branda's cheer competitions with tremendous pride and affection. She loved helping her kids with their various projects, painting with Brian, and tending to Kris' garden were treasured times. A true dog person, Sue enjoyed the gift of many canine companions over her lifetime. Her most recent best friend was her cat, Smalls. She also shared a special connection with her granddog, Tama, who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. A casual, laid back person, Sue preferred the motel over the hotel, the dive bar over the 4-star restaurant, and her little Sunbird convertible over a Cadillac. She naturally found the gift in every moment. Whether a day appeared obviously joyful or seemingly bleak, Sue made everything better. She enjoyed the simple things in life like day trips in her convertible, laughing with friends at the Hideaway over a couple of rum and Cokes, playing Keno, and raveling south to Florida or the Carolinas. During her many years as a community member of Kline's Resort, she volunteered often and helped in the kitchen with pancake breakfasts. For two years she was the resort's treasurer of carers and shares. She adored the many friends she made at Kline's and was always involved in something at the park, including attending outdoor church services, playing cards with friends at the clubhouse, and decorating the golf cart and/or boat for the 4th of July parade. A master puzzler, many of her works became Mod Podged works of art that hung on her garage walls. Never one to be still for long, Sue spent many of her retired years working odd jobs to keep herself busy, earn some pocket cash, and satiate her need to be of service. She worked the deli at both Meijer in Portage and Family Fare in Vicksburg. She reigned as "Salad Bar Queen" at Fisher Lake Inn for several seasons and thoroughly enjoyed working the Christmas Barn at Mott's Tree Farm. Sue loved a good bargain and hunting for treasures while garage sale-ing and perusing the local consignment shop. Always a sharp dresser, she stayed up with trends (hence the consignment shopping addiction) and refused to buy anything that needed to be ironed or dry cleaned. She was most comfortable in shorts and a cute shirt (absolutely no t-shirts) with sandals or a sundress. The hint of a southern accent from growing up in South Central Indiana made her signature phrases even more delightful. Her family's favorite was "Just a tad nurdle more," inspired by her frugal nature and never wanting to waste anything, especially food. She was always pushing more food on her people, even when they stuffed to the gills. She would say, "just have a tad nurdle more," as she was literally plopping a spoonful of food on their plate. She was famous for her "roastinear" (roasting ear; corn on the cob) worshing (washing) the clothes. Sue could make friends anywhere. Once while attending an MSU vs. IU football game with her daughter, an MSU graduate, Sue found herself decked out in her IU red and white and enveloped in a sea of green and white. Though she received many inhospitable glares, within a few first plays of the game, she discovered one of the college kids seated next to her was also an IU fan. In no time at all, she made best friends with the college-aged hottie, all in the name of IU football, and exchanged big hugs as they all parted ways at the end of the game. The world feels less certain in the absence of Sue's bright and beautiful presence. And while we begin to do the hard work of grieving her loss, may we find comfort in carrying her loving passion for life forward. Each time we welcome a stranger with a smile, play a game of Bridge or Keno, soak up the heat of the sun, take a ride on the lake, cheer on our loved one's endeavors, or work a puzzle, we celebrate the many ways Sue gifted us and the world. In so doing, we keep her beautiful spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us. While visiting Sue's tribute page please take a moment to light a candle or share a memory. The Ripley family is being assisted by McCowen and Secord Family Funeral Homes Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. (269) 649-1697.