Clifton I. Cripe, Jr., 78, of Osceola passed away on Monday, January 4, 2010 in St. Joseph Regional Hospital, Mishawaka. Clifton was born on October 25, 1931 in South Bend Clifton I. and Dorothy (Smith) Cripe, Sr.
He is survived by his wife, Mandy of Osceola; three children, Jeanne Lee (Norman) Burggraf of Granger, Richard Cripe of Niles and Michelle (Michael) Furnas of Granger; seven grandchildren, including three special grandchildren, Lauralee Rogers, Matthew Furnas, and Anthony Furnas. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Gindleberger of Mishawaka; three brothers, Thomas W. (Stephanie) Cripe of Elkhart, Edward (Eleanor) Gindleberger of Kettering, OH and Dr. Donald (Joan) Gindleberger of Mishawaka. He is preceded in death by his father, Clifton, Sr, step-father, Wayne Gindleberger and sister, Beverly Cripe.
Clifton proudly served his country during Korea in the U.S. Army before being honorably discharged in 1958. He worked for NIBCO in Elkhart for many years before retirement in 1995. Clifton was avid sports fan, including Penn Football, Notre Dame, Baltimore Ravens, and Kentucky Wildcats.
A private family service will be held. Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola is handling arrangements.
"For ease & simplicity in ordering sympathy floral arrangements online, from the comfort & convenience of your home or office, please visit our website at www.memorygardensfloral.com. Numerous photographs for you to browse and a price range for every budget. This is a local floral ordering service and is under the complete direction & supervision of the staff at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home."