Thurman Ribelin

Mr. Thurman Ribelin, 95, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2010 after a brief period of declining health. Born October 12, 1914 in Badin, NC, Thurman was raised in eastern Rowan County. He moved his family to Florida in 1957. After retirement, he and his wife returned to Cleveland, NC and they were active members of Enon Baptist Church. Thurman was the second child and oldest son of Jesse and Augusta Wilhelm Ribelin. There were five siblings who worked the family farm. He graduated from Rockwell High School and was later employed by Cannon Mills. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and served with the 34th Infantry Division, which was assembled in Ireland and the deployed to North Africa. After a successful campaign across Algeria and Tunisia, his unit was deployed to Italy where it was heavily involved in the invasion at Anzio. His military service continued to the end of World War II. He was married in 1946 to Creola Wood and soon entered the construction trade as a carpenter. Thurman was an avid gardener and was happiest when working outdoors. He was preceded in death by his wife Creola Wood, May 3, 1995, his brothers Grady and Baxter Ribelin, and sister Irene Almond and Moline Eller. Survivors include sister, Zela Hill of Thomasville, son Frank Ribelin and wife Joyce, their children Emily and Gregory, all of North Easton, Massachusetts, and Ben Ribelin, his wife Patricia, and their son Austin of Salisbury. Visitation: The family will receive friends at Summersett Funeral Home Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6-8 PM. Service: A service honoring the life of Mr. Ribelin will be held at Enon Baptist Church on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 4:00 PM with Rev. Kip Mobley officiating. Interment will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Enon Baptist Church, 1875 Enon Church Rd., Salisbury, NC 28147. The family extends their sincerest thanks to the attentive and caring staff with Rowan Regional Hospice and at Liberty Commons Nursing Center. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Ribelin family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Thurman Ribelin

October 12, 1914 - June 8, 2010