Bluffton community leader, Mary Emma Triplett, died, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. She was preceeded in death by her husband, William R. (Ropp) Triplett.
Mrs. Triplett was born on Oct. 2, 1922, to Joseph and Hettie Cassel of Fairview Village, Pa. She joined the U.S. Army Nursing Corps soon after graduation from the University of Cincinnati Nursing School with a nursing degree and RN certification.
She and Ropp were married on Sept. 1, 1946, after both having received honorable discharge from the army.
Mary Emma and Ropp served the Bluffton community in countless ways during their lives. Her contributions focused on leadership and service in education, health care, family recreation, business and church.
She served as president of the Bluffton Community Hospital Auxiliary, Bluffton PTA, Bluffton Weekday Religious Education Program, board member for the Mennonite Memorial Home, officer for Bluffton Family Recreation and Bluffton Music Boosters.
In 1988 she became the first woman to be named Citizen of the Year by the Bluffton Lion's Club.
Over the years Mrs. Triplett provided care to shut-ins and those recovering in hospital. She and her husband took in a number of young women who were experiencing crises in their lives.
During retirement years she and Ropp were involved in various polka dancing organizations in northwest Ohio.
She is surved by children, Greg (Wanda) Triplett, Nancy (Don) Swart, Bill (Lynne) Triplett, Roger (Janet) Triplett, Larry (Debbie) Triplett, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 4, at Bluffton Presbyterian Church.
There will be a reception in the church fellowship hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to one of her favorite charitable organizations: Bluffton Presbyterian Church, Bluffton Child Development Center, or Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
