John Rippee, 78, of Butler died Thursday at his home.

Born March 15, 1931, in New Castle, he was the son of the late John J. Rippee and the late Anna Schnitzki Rippee.

Mr. Rippee was an electronic technician for AK Steel, formerly Armco. He was a member of St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church. He owned and operated Rippee C.B. Radio Sales and Services.

He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 249, life member of the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club and a life member of the National Rifle Association.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War.

Mr. Rippee was married to Ella C. Dudeck Rippee on Oct. 17, 1953. She preceded him in death on Dec. 11, 2006. He is survived by one sister, Patricia of Daytona Beach; one brother, Eugene Rippee of Butler; and three nieces and four nephews.

<B>RIPPEE </B> Friends of John Rippee, who died Thursday, April 2, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 124 E. North St. Parastas services will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Douglas J. Lorance of St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church officiating. Burial will follow in The Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum of Butler County Memorial Park.Contributions may be made to the St. Michael's Ukranian Catholic Church Building Fund, 610 Hansen Ave., Lyndora, PA 16045.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.