Deacon Ernest E. Riopelle passed on from this life on July 9, 2023, at the age of 90. Deacon Riopelle is survived by his beloved wife, Gloria, four sons and four grandchildren.
Deacon Riopelle was born January 11, 1933, and was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 10, 1978, serving 45 years as a permanent deacon.
Deacon Riopelle served his first assignment at Our Lady of the Woods in Woodhaven until 1981, followed by assignments at St. Hugh in Southgate, All Saints in Detroit, St. Cyprian in Riverview, and St. Conrad in Melvindale. Deacon Riopelle also spent some time, beginning in 1986, as South Regional Coordinator of Permanent Deacons for Diaconal Studies and Ministries. Deacon Riopelle retired in 2012.
Deacon Riopelle's funeral Mass will take place on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at 10 a.m., at St. Cyprian in Riverview, 13249 Pennsylvania Road, Riverview, Michigan 48193. A brief visitation with family will be held at 9:30 a.m., prior to the Mass.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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