April
13, 1911 - Dec. 24, 2009SOUTH BEND - Maxine Cripe, 98, of South Bend, IN passed away at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 24, 2009 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. She was born on April 13, 1911 in Ashley, IN to Vern and Elsie (Dirrim) Johnson. On October 8, 1933 in South Bend, IN she married Russell Cripe, who preceded her in death on November 11, 1982. Mrs. Cripe is survived by daughter, Mary Jane (Mike) Skees of South Bend, IN; son, Rodger L. (Janice) Cripe of The Villages, FL; five grandchildren, Christine (Daniel) Clevenger of South Bend, IN, Michelle (Jason) Skeels of South Bend, IN, Brian Skees of South Bend, IN, Scott (Shannon) Cripe of Fairview, NC and Carrie Menke of Wilmington, NC; nine great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and sister, Joan Stahly of Atlantic Beach, FL. Sister, Ruth Johnson preceded her in death. Mrs. Cripe retired as a bookkeeper for McCaffery Electric in 1975 after twenty two years of service. She was a member of First Christian Church and past worthy matron of the Order of Eastern Star #2. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend. A graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 30th in the Highland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, South Bend. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009 in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. Contributions in memory of Maxine Cripe may be offered to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Ct. South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.