Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ralph Criffield

Nov. 29, 1929 - Nov. 3, 2001

South Bend Tribune 11/5/2001

Ralph Criffield, age 71, of Dunn Rd. in Mishawaka passed away November 3, 2001 at Elkhart General Hospital of natural causes. Mr. Criffield was born November 29, 1929 to Leland and Bertha (Nash) Criffield in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They preceded him in death. On February 11, 1977, Ralph married the former Marjory James. She survives. Also surviving are his son, Tom Criffield of Corona, Indiana; his daughter, Susan Leyba of Granger, Indiana; three stepsons, Douglas Hess and his wife, Linda of San Antonio, Texas, Daniel Hess and his wife, Connie of Wakarusa, Indiana, and Bradley Hess of Mishawaka. Mr. Criffield is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Gabrielle Leyba, Kathryn Leyba, Beau Leyba, Amanda Hess, Eric Hommerding, Brittany Hommerding, Garrett Hess, Brianna Hess, Rachel Hess and Rebekah Hess, as well as a sister-in-law, Shirley Criffield. Preceding Ralph in death were his brothers, Merle and Gerald Criffield; a sister, Helen Criffield; and a grandson, Ron Criffield.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 5, 2001, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Services will be conducted by Reverend Lorin Clemenz on Tuesday, November 6, 2001, in the First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka at 11 a.m. where there will be visitation one hour prior to the service.

Mr. Criffield was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he received the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal before being honorably discharged in 1953. Ralph was employed as an Injection Molding Foreman by Experimental Molding in Osceola for 32 years before his retirement in 1993. From 1994 -1998 he worked part-time for Modular Plastics. Memberships include the First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka and memorial donation in Ralph's name may be given to the church.