Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

George David Ribble, husband and father, passed away Dec. 7, 2020, surrounded by his family.

George was born Dec. 23, 1939, to George Joshua and Rose (Bosch) Ribble in Worland on the family farm where he grew up and graduated from Worland High School.

Family was important to George; he married Judy Stefanowich on Dec. 28, 1963. In marriage, he was a devoted son-in-law. Together Judy and George, and Ruth and Joe Stefanowich, traveled the United States. After George graduated from the University of Wyoming, the young couple moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, where their three children, David, Stefanie, and Darci were born. His family celebrates the life of this good and faithful man.

Education was to be a big part of George’s life. He graduated from Northwest Community College and the University of Wyoming, and his first teaching position was at Central Junior High in Sheridan. He continued his education, earning a Master of Educational Administration in 1974. George was a principal in Big Horn, Kemmerer, and in Powell, Wyoming. George served Park County School District 1 as a middle school principal, assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum, budget, transportation and technology, before his retirement in 1996. At heart, he was a Powell Panther and a Northwest College Trapper, and he was often found in the bleachers cheering enthusiastically.

George served in many ways, leaving the world a better place. He was a leader, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Northwest College Foundation and NWC Alumni Association. He was an excellent educator and awarded teacher of the year, a member of Phi Delta Kappa, and served as president of the Wyoming Association of Classroom Teachers. He served Wyoming in the National Guard for over 30 years, retiring in 1999 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. His time in the guard demonstrated his love of country and his dedication to his family.

George was a faithful member of Saint Barbara’s Catholic Church and served as a lector and eucharistic minister, and his love was music. He was a talented vocal and instrumental musician with a beautiful baritone voice. He gifted his love of music to his children.

George leaves a loving family, including his wife of 57 years, Judy; his son David (Jen) Ribble of Indianapolis, Indiana; daughters, Stefanie (James) Bell of Cody and Darci (Cory) Ostermiller of Powell; grandchildren, Ashlen (Garrett) Nelson, Hallie (Jacob) Guidry, Taylor (Christoffer) Sommerfeld, James (Bethany) Bell, Courtney Ostermiller, Kateri Bell, Natalie Ostermiller, Michaela Bell, Kobe Ostermiller, Cecilia Bell, John Bell and Felicity Bell; great-grandchildren Dallan, Michael, Adalyn, Evelyn Nelson, and Baby Sommerfeld due in March. He is also survived by brother Franklin Ribble of Lubbock, Texas; sisters Joan Propp of Worland, Wyoming, Jessie Saunders of Billings, Montana, and Florence Kitchel of Lyman, Wyoming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Rose Ribble; brothers, Clinton and Richard; sisters, Pearl, Laura, Lucille, and Mary Lou; Judy’s parents, Joe and Ruth Stefanowich; and grandson Matthias Ambrose Bell.

Funeral Mass was Wednesday, Dec. 9, in Powell, with interment at Riverside Cemetery in Worland.