Robert W. Ripley, 88, of Collinsville, Ill., born July 27, 1924, in Oraville, Ill., died at 3:33 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Edwardsville, Ill.

Mr. Ripley enjoyed history and the works of William Shakespeare. He also enjoyed gardening, wood working and bird watching. He was very interested in geneology and published the Ripley Family Odyssey. He was a veteran.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Henry and Louise, nee Hespenheider, Ripley; brothers, Ernie Ripley and Gary Ripley; and sister, Ruth Hopkins.

Surviving are his wife, Seaeca, nee Kadioff-Stoyanoff, Ripley of Collinsville, Ill.; daughter, Tinna (Daniel) Whiteside of Caseyville, Ill.; son, Robert H. Ripley of Collinsville, Ill.; brother, Thomas Ripley of Belleville, Ill. three grandchildren, Tyler (Jo Lindsay), Jason (Cheri) and Andria (Ryan Steele) Whiteside; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Cedarhurst Assisted Living. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill.