Lester Henry Riphenburg

San Juan Bautista resident Lester Henry Riphenburg died Monday,
Dec. 1 after a short illness at Northside Convalescent Hospital. He
was 75.
Lester Henry Riphenburg

San Juan Bautista resident Lester Henry Riphenburg died Monday, Dec. 1 after a short illness at Northside Convalescent Hospital. He was 75.

He was born in Hollister and lived in San Benito County his entire life. He was educated at San Juan Bautista schools.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Philippines with the U.S. Army in the 621st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.

He worked for Ideal Cement Plant in San Juan Bautista for 25 years before they closed. He then worked as a maintenance person for San Juan Bautista Mission for the past 17 years.

He liked to hunt in San Benito County, Modoc and travel throughout the United States

“He enjoyed rebuilding cars. He was a perfectionist when fixing cars,” said his brother Claude. “He was a mechanic by design.”

He is survived by his brothers and sister Claude Riphenburg of San Juan Bautista, Michael Riphenburg of Hisperia, Dennis Riphenburg of San Juan Bautista and Mari Jean Bettencourt of San Joaquin Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hiram and Minnie Riphenburg.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 4 at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home from noon to 7 p.m.

Family and friends will meet at San Juan District Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. to attend the graveside services in the Veterans Section at 10 a.m.

Memorials may be sent to the Luck Library Fund in care of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.