Helen I. Ripple

Helen I. Ripple, 83, of Costello, PA died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at her home following a brief illness.


Mrs. Ripple was born on July 31, 1927 in First Fork, the daughter of Clara Zoschg and was raised by Peter and Aloisa Zoschg. On June 24, 1950 in Austin she married Avery R. “Abe” Ripple, who died on June 26, 2005.

Mrs. Ripple was a graduate of Emporium High School. She was formerly employed with GTE Sylvania in Emporium and Emporium Specialties Co. in Austin. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving are two daughters, Kathleen (Tony) Majot of Coudersport and Susan (Mike) Wells of Lima, NY, one son, Thomas (Anne) Ripple of Goose Creek, SC, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, four brothers, George “Mick” (Kathy) Kamats of Nashville, TN, Donald (Jean) Kamats of Springville, NY, Richard (Joanne) Kamats of Orchard Park, NY, and Gary (Jane) Kamats of Austin, seven sisters, Louise Cooney of Emporium, PA, Joanne Kamats of Seattle, WA, Maxine (John) Zokaites of Pittsburgh, PA, Margaret (Ernie) Lovett, Carolyn (Dale) Wolfanger, Kathleen Kamats, and Pamela (Howard) Stewart, all of Emporium, PA, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, her stepfather, George Kamats, and her husband.

Friends may call from 4 – 7 pm Thursday, May 5, 2011at the Fickinger Funeral Home, Coudersport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin. The Reverend Joseph Dougherty, pastor, will be celebrant. Burial will be in Gilmore Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Potter County Hospice, 1001 E. Second St., Coudersport, PA 16915, or to St. Augustine Catholic Church, P. O. Box 271, Austin, PA 16720, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. To share your fondest memories of Helen, visit www.lifecelebration.com.