Helen Klinehance Cripe, 97, Jacksonville, Fla., formerly of Warsaw, died peacefully Dec. 27, 2010. She was born July 21, 1913, in Goshen, to J.D. Cripe and Anna Marie Klinehance Cripe, who preceded her in death. She was baptized on Aug. 2, 1914, in Methodist Episcopal Church, Larwill. The family moved to Claypool in 1919 to join family in the operations of Claypool Machine Corp., which was destroyed by fire in 1936. After graduating high school from Claypool High School in 1931 and International Business College, Fort Wayne, in 1933, she began her working career at the People’s State Bank, Claypool. In 1937, after the fire, the family relocated to Kendallville. Helen then supported the re-established Claypool Machine Corp. where the manufacturing of axles and crankshafts provided significant contributions toward the war effort. At the end of the World War II, the company was sold and the family relocated to Warsaw in 1947. Helen continued her working career with Milford Machine Corp. and Leesburg for many years before obtaining a position with First National Bank of Warsaw in 1965. She continued her employment with the bank until retiring as a secretary in 1980. For many years, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, Eastern Star-Noble Chapter 122, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club, all of Kendallville. She moved to Florida for warmer weather and to enjoy family who provided much entertainment. Surviving are two nephews, Tracy S. (and spouse Theresa) Cripe, and the Rev. Terry L. (and spouse Marlene) Cripe; great-nieces, Tara A. Cripe and Leah (and spouse Ben Rodriguez), and Lindsay Hecht, Raleigh, N.C., Sarah Cripe, Fort Wayne; a great nephew, Evan J. Cripe; a sister-in-law, Marie Cripe, all of Jacksonville; a niece, Melody S. (and spouse John) Hecht; and great-great-nieces, Kaytlynn Thornton and Ariel Brown, all of Defiance, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Norman J. Cripe. Graveside services will be Thursday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with the Rev. Scott Carmer, First United Methodist Church, Warsaw, officiating. ***** In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in memory of Helen K. Cripe can be made to Community Hospice Foundation of Northeast Florida, McGraw Center, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32257.
