Island helps Riepel celebrate 103rd birthday

By PAULETTE LeBLANC plelanc@breezenewspapers com

It’s not often we get to celebrate the birthday of someone over 100 years old, but this past Friday, Pine Island had the honor of celebrating World War II Army veteran Wilbur Riepel’s 103rd birthday

According to Riepel and his son, Ron Riepel, who is a retired Army sergeant who served in Vietnam, a good time was had by all Riepel, especially wanted to thank Pine Island for making such a tremendous effort to come out and celebrate his birthday with him and his family

“Everybody did a really good job There was a lot of food there and all the children were lined up along the sidewalk My grandchildren and nieces and nephews all thought it was wonderful,” (Wilbur) Riepel said Riepel’s son said he would like to thank everyone involved in the event, including the vendors and all the islanders who came out to help his father celebrate this momentous birthday The Riepels were able to evacuate for Hurricane Ian. Ron was able to come back to Pine Island right away, but Wilbur came back in December, after a short hospital stay in North Carolina

See RIEPEL, page 18

Islander Wilbur Riepel waves to the children at PIE on his 103rd birthday.

PAULETTE LEBLANC