Maurice Milan Ripley

Maurice Milan Ripley, 87, resident of Moundville, Mo., died Friday, Aug. 24, 2007 at Mercy HEalth Center in Fort Scott. He was born February 9, 1920 in Moundville, the son of Alvia Ripley and Tina Folk Ripley. He was a graduate of Bronaugh High School. Maurice married Catherine Harris on Aug. 9, 1941. He was a member of the Moundville Methodist Church, the Hermon Masonic Lodge NO. 187, Liberal, Mo., Nevada York Rite, Fort Scott Scottish Rite and the Mirza Shrine Temple, Pittsburg, Kan. He also was a member of the Vernon County Shrine Club, life member of the Sedalia Shrine Club, Order of the Eastern Star, and a pster member of the Bronaugh School Board. Maurice was a prominent lifetime farmer and stockman in the Moundville area. He was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel at the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Survivors include his wife, Catherine, of the home; one daughter, Linda Eckhoff and husband Olen, Lamont, Mo.; three grandsons, Lewis Milan Eckoff, Olen Christophen Eckhoff and Daniel Lee Eckhoff; two great grandchildren, Brandon Eckhoff and Hailey Eckhoff; two nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clinton Ripley and two sisters, Eleanor Whitworth and Gladys Brock. Ed Post will conduct graveside services at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Deerfield, Missouri Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Shrine Transportation Fund and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701. Condolence messages may be sent to info@cheneywitt.com