Submitted by: Dan Rich

Minnie Matilda Cripe

Aug. 21, 1912 - June 23, 2005

Minnie Matilda Cripe, 92, of Southland Avenue, South Bend, passed away following a brief illness at 7:26 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2005, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center-Plymouth.

She was born August 21, 1912, in Madison Township to Alvin C. and Dora Loretta (Boocher) Mikel. She grew up on the family farm with four brothers and two sisters.

On September 14, 1935, as Minnie Mikel, she married Elwood Cripe, and they moved from the country to the nearby city of South Bend. Together they enjoyed 54 years of marriage until his passing on December 29, 1989.

She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Randall Large on March 30, 1993; a daughter-in-law, Trina Cripe on December 8, 1998; two sisters, Gertrude Scheidegger on Nov. 16, 1986, and Della Curtis on Feb. 21, 2003; and four brothers, Willard Mikel on Dec. 11, 1974, Otho Mikel on July 11, 1939, Ernal Mikel on August 17, 1985, and David Mikel on March 27, 2002.

She was a longtime member of South Side Church of God, South Bend, where she served as teacher in the nursery for more than 25 years. Minnie enjoyed embroidery, sewing, vegetable gardening, canning, baking, candy making, and crafting. Through the years she made dolls and their clothes, bunnies and much more. Recently she was a volunteer at Battell Center, Mishawaka, and made hand-sewn wheelchair pads, lap blankets, and crocheted hats and gloves to various social services. Her family was most special to her. She always baked birthday cakes for everyone.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Roger Large of Plymouth; her son, Eugene Cripe of South Bend; seven grandchildren, Kathleen Cripe of South Bend, Karen (Brad) Copen of Columbus, OH, Jennifer Cripe (Thad Rice) of Tallahassee, FL, Julia Weiss, Daniel (Michelle) Large, Mikel (Terri) Large and Jason (Julie) Large, all of Plymouth. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, Romney Large, Mellissa Large, Mellanie Large, Matt Weiss, Amber Large, Paul Large, Joshua Copen, Nicole Copen, Conner Large, Brenna Large and Andrew Large.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, in South Side Church of God, 7351 U.S. 31 South, South Bend. Rev. Greg Crump will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Bremen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, and one hour prior to services Tuesday in the church. Contributions in memory of Minnie M. Cripe may be made to South Side Church of God.