Stepan Antonovich Ribacioc

Stepan Antonovich Ribacioc, 94, passed away peacefully at his son’s home in Berrien Springs surrounded by his family on May 17, 2017.  A private graveside family service was held at Rose Hill Cemetery on May 19, 2017.  The service was in Russian and filled with traditional songs of the old country. Friends of the family wishing to send an on-line condolence may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com. Those who wish to make a donation in Stepan’s name may do so to the Berrien County Humane Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Chapel & Cremations Services of Berrien Springs. Stepan was born in Nikolayevka, Moldova to a Ukrainian family – Anton and Aksenia (Malanchuk) Rybachek on July 20, 1922. On February 25, 1948 he married his loving wife, Tatiana Boychuck in Moldova, where they lived until 2012.  They enjoyed married life for 67 years.  He is survived by his children, Leontii (Alla) Ribacioc of Moldova, Piotr (Rachilea) Ribacioc of Berrien Springs, Ivan (Valentina) Ribacioc of the Ukraine, Emiliya (Gregor) Petersen of Northern Michigan, Pavel (Antonina) Ribacioc of Washington State; 15 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild; and 1 great-great-grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sons, Leonid and Phyllip; three grandchildren; two sisters, Maria and Eugenia; and brother, Ivan. Stepan was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was hardworking, caring, and close to God. Stepan was baptized at age 18 in 1940 and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He represented his country in the Soviet Army during WWII as a communications expert in the 1st Ukrainian front.  He marched through Europe into Berlin where he remained until the war ended.  God saved Stepan’s life many times at the battle field. Stepan was a brave soldier and received several battle medals. Some of them are seen in this photo taken just a week before he passed.  After the war, he settled with his wife in Moldova to become a Shepherd to sheep owned by families in his village. Each Spring Stepan would leave the village with 300 to 600 sheep, herding dogs, a walking stick and a few personal belongings he could carry on his back.  The sheep trusted him to deliver their newborns and safely bring them home each fall.  Stepan had a real affinity with animals. He knew each sheep by their face and markings and who their owners were.  He would come home for only a day or two or for a single night.  When his sons were old enough to help, they did.  Shepherds used A-shaped roofed dugouts. Sometimes, he would have to dig a small trench in the ground and spend a night having just his rain coat for protection. He requested his walking stick be placed next to his bed before he passed. Stepan loved life and enjoyed eating almost any kind of food, but his favorites were fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. He also enjoyed traditional Ukrainian and Moldavian dishes: borscht, pierogies, stuffed cabbage, and meat jelly. He loved spending time with his grandchildren in the family garden. They will remember him coming from the garden with his hands full of strawberries, sweet grapes, a watermelon, melon, or a bunch of English walnuts. Instead of candy, he filled his pockets with roasted soybeans and sunflower seeds for their delight and enjoyment. Stepan’s greatest love was his wife and family.  At the beginning of their marriage, they made a decision to follow Jesus and help the needy, suffering, homeless and helpless around them. For miles and miles around their home people knew to go to the Ribacioc family for they will listen to you and may help. They set a good example for their children to follow.  Stepan and Tatiana educated four pastors and several grandchildren who carry on the pastoral life and traditions.  He was cheerful, gentle and kind and could tell a great story.  Stepan was a man of faith and loved the Lord with his whole heart.