Joseph Wippel

Joseph F. Wippel, 81, of Lafayette, passed away at Franciscan East, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette 3:40 AM Monday February 19, 2018. He was born in Indianapolis, IN July 31, 1936 to the late Bernard and Mildred Floyd Wippel and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Indianapolis in 1954. Joseph served in the U. S. Air Force from 1955 until 1957 and was stationed in Shreveport, LA and Morocco, North Africa. He was employed by Eli Lilly and Co. from 1957 until 1994 and transferred from Indianapolis to Lafayette in 1966. Joseph held various jobs in Chemical Manufacturing and retired as a maintenance coordinator in the Treflan Manufacturing area. He married Marie M. Bruner on August 23, 1981 in Las Vegas, NV and she preceded him in death June 4, 2007. Joseph was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and was very active in church activities. He was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and past president and member of the Parish Council; a member of St. Boniface Secular Franciscan Order since 1988 and a former lay minister. Joseph was a member of the Knight’s of Immaculata at St. Boniface; a past president, district governor and member of the Serra Club; long time board member and volunteer at Lafayette Urban Ministry and a volunteer at Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank. He enjoyed bowling golf and motorcycle riding. Surviving are daughters Cynthia Fetick (Joe) of Sharonville, OH; Teresa Yrizzarry (John) of Austin, TX; Penny Abrams (Ted) of Monticello, IN; Stellia Farrell and Heather Wippel of Lafayette, IN; sons Jeffrey Wippel (Wendy) of Hernando, MS; Scott P. Wippel (Amanda) of Milford, IN; Robert Wippel (Brenda) of Mulberry, IN; a sister Nancy Abbott of Indianapolis, IN; by 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and his faith companion, Peanut. Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette from 4 until 7 PM Thursday Feb. 22 with the Rosary being recited at 3:45 PM Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church 10:00 AM Friday Feb. 23, Fr. Tim Alkire officiating, with interment in St. Boniface Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 11. Memorials may be directed to Food Finders Food Bank of Lafayette. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com