Vernon W. Cripe

February 4, 2016

Send Condolences

Vernon W. Cripe 95, of Frankfort, died on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Wesley Manor Health Care Center in Frankfort.  He was born on August 25, 1920 in Ross Township, Clinton County, Indiana to Frank W. & Maude E. (Roth) Cripe.  Vernon married Anna May Ruch on August 30, 1941 and she preceded him in death on June 23, 1995. Upon returning from the service he worked at Glover’s Ice Cream for 5 years.  He farmed for 31 years prior to working with Prairie Stream Farms selling turkeys and seed corn.  Vernon retired from D.E.F./Crows/Channel Seeds at 91 years of age after 20 years of service.  He was a lifelong Clinton County resident graduating from Rossville High School in 1940.  He was a member of the Rossville Hornet Basketball team.  He served is country during W.W. II in the US Army from 1944-1946 obtaining the rank of Corporal.  He was a longtime member of St. Luke Church and other memberships included American Legion (Past Commander), 40 & 8 (Chef de Guerre), Moose Lodge #7, Elks Lodge B.P.O.E #560, Mulberry Masonic Lodge #618, Scottish Rite (32 Degree-Valley of Indianapolis), Life Member Eagles Lodge #976 (Golden Eagle), Life Member of Lebanon Elks.  Vernon enjoyed his family and grandkids, fishing, mushroom hunting and gardening.  He was an avid basketball fan and enjoyed playing cards at the smoke shop.

Visitation and Services

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Goodwin Funeral Home. Friends may visit from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the Goodwin Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Green Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Manor.

Survived by:

2 Sons: William W. (Wife-Connie) Cripe of Hewitt, TX, Ted A. (Wife-Belinda) Cripe of Frankfort, 2 Grandsons: William Wesley (Wife-Ashley) Cripe II-Texas Andrew Vernon Cripe of Lebanon, 4 Granddaughters: Monica (Husband-Phillip) Odum of Texas, Celeste (Husband-Troy) Burau-Rogers, MN, Cassandra (Husband-Ronnie) Soto of Texas, Christine (Husband-Thomas) Smith of Texas, 12 great grandchildren also survive.

Preceded by:

his wife and 2 brothers, Elwood and Kenneth Cripe.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

23 Condolences for “Vernon W. Cripe”

  1. Phyllis Lowery February 4, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    I would have to say the most special man I ever knew. Saw him at the Manor after his surgery last fall. I will miss his smile, his humor and every thing he was. Condolences to his entire family. As the song asks, “who is gonna fill these shoes?”

    Reply
  2. Jeff Martin February 4, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Bill and Ted, sorry for your loss! What a great guy your dad was, I can not ever remember one time of ever being around your dad that he didn’t have a smile on his face, plus he was always in a positive mood, just a fun person to be around, he will be missed!

    Reply
  3. Diane Graves February 4, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    What an inspiration. You father brought joy simply by his presence. We spent a lot of time enjoying his kindness and quick humor and what a smile. It was an honor to have shared his triumphs and his trials. He will be missed, never forgotten, and always loved. The girls from rehab.

    Reply
  4. Dustin Smith February 4, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    It’s often cliche in times this these to express the usual pleasantries, but in the case of Mr. Vernie Cripe they are all true. Vernie, with the greatest of ease could send an entire room into laughter with his quick wit, and charm. I’m blessed to have been in one of those room on many occasions both here in Florida and in Frankfort. I know he’s up there smiling while sipping on a Seagrams 7 & 7-up, or as he would say, “I’ll have a 14 please”. Here’s to you Vernie Cripe!

    Reply
  5. Kate & Paul Maurer February 5, 2016 at 12:20 am

    A life well lived and a genuine soul. Our thoughts are with all in this overwhelming time. Hugs.

    Reply
  6. Sandy and Larry Bitner February 5, 2016 at 7:11 am

    Sorry for you loss. We are really gonna miss him. What a great man who always had a smile on his face!

    Reply
  7. Helen & Dick Rayles February 5, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Sorry to hear our friend passed away. His smile and banter will be missed. Our prayers are with his family.

    Reply
  8. Donna McClish (Farm Bureau Ins) February 5, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Ted,
    Very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He sounded like a wonderful man.
    You have my heartfelt condolences to your whole family.

    Reply
  9. Chris Brown February 5, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    Ted, so sorry to hear about your Dad, he was always fun to be around (all those many years ago). Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

    Reply
  10. Teresa February 6, 2016 at 7:06 am

    What a great great friend. He will be greatly missed! I will never forget the phone calls I would get from him in the summer. He would always call and say ” Hey the bikini squash is ready–come out and get some”. I always laughed when he was around, he was never down. So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  11. Jack Scheid February 6, 2016 at 7:53 am

    Remarkable Gentleman. Always had a smile and made folks just feel uplifted. We will miss Vern.

    Reply
  12. Chris Newlund February 6, 2016 at 8:11 am

    Vernon will be missed….his humor, ready smile and kindness. He was a joy and an inspiration to have in our lives.

    Reply
  13. Deb Riggins February 6, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Vernie always had an easy smile and great sense of humor. I never heard him say an unkind word to anyone. Great father, grandfather and friend to many people. He will be missed by his family and the Frankfort community.

    Reply
  14. Jackie Funk February 7, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Ted,
    So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I can imagine how much his presence will be missed. You are a lucky family to have had your dad with you for so many years. None the less, a time of great loss…may all of the joyful times you’ve spent together carry you through the days ahead.
    Our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.
    Jackie & Chris

    Reply
  15. John & Grace Miller February 7, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    To sum it up. A great gentlemen with a never ending smile and personality. Our condolences…John & Grace

    Reply
  16. Marty Ayers Lock February 7, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  17. Cheri Smith-Kaylor February 8, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Truly a remarkable man! He was so much a part of our family for many years. So many good memories. We will love and miss him always.

    Reply
  18. Don Richardson February 9, 2016 at 10:06 am

    Very sorry for your loss. Vernie was a good man & I have nothing but good memories of when I was around him.

    Reply
  19. Chris Warren Osting February 9, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Ted and Belinda, So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad and father in law.

    Reply
    • Ted Cripe February 19, 2016 at 11:23 pm

      Thanks Chris for your thoughts, we are so fortunate to be able to share many quality years with Dad. Even our grandkids were able to share some fun times with him, that is a blessing. Hope all is well with you and family. Ted

      Reply
  20. Anne Kathrens Kahl February 9, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Bill and Ted, what a legacy your father left! I am praying sweet memories are a comfort at this time of loss.

    Reply
    • Ted Cripe February 19, 2016 at 11:34 pm

      Thanks Anne, we have had many great years together and so many happy memories to keep him alive in our hearts. Hope all is well with you and yours. Ted

      Reply
  21. Jeff Michael February 22, 2016 at 12:33 am

    Ted and family, I have so many fond memories of your dad, I can see he and my dad either sitting at the kitchen table or under a shade tree talking farming. I used to tell him he was the best seed salesman there ever was. I always enjoyed seeing Vernies truck pull up at the farm and loved listening to his stories, he was special and will surely be missed.

    Reply

Please fill out this form to contact the staff of Goodwin Funeral Home. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Family Information Guide

Goodwin Funeral Home obituaries are created from information contained in the Family Information Guide.

The Family Information Guide is a no-cost service provided by Goodwin Funeral Home for families and individuals who wish to record their personal information during the funeral preplanning process.

Begin your Family Information Guide today. Learn more about preparing yourself and loved ones for difficult and emotional decisions in the future.

Start my Family Information Guide

Funeral Arrangement Planner

Begin planning a funeral with our simple funeral arrangement planner.

The funeral arrangement planner was created to help guide you through the basic steps of planning a funeral. You may send your funeral plans to our office with any questions you may have about the funeral planning process.

Funeral Arrangement Planner