PERU – Mary "Evelyn" Kanippe, 82, formerly of Peru, went to be with her Lord at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in her home in Warsaw while surrounded by family. Evelyn was diagnosed with lung cancer on Thanksgiving night.
Evelyn was born on March 22, 1936, in Kingsport, Tenn., to Samuel Short and Dorothea Gray Short. She married the love of her life, Bert Kanippe, on May 31, 1954.
Evelyn lived in Peru for 64 years prior to moving close to her daughter in Warsaw in December 2017.
Evelyn was a homemaker, worked for years in the Peru Community Schools lunch program — mostly at Elmwood Elementary and the Peru Junior High School, and cleaned houses for numerous folks in the Peru area.
Evelyn was 62 years old when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. While living in Peru, she attended First Church of the Nazarene.
Evelyn spent 55 years loving her best friend and husband, Bert. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.
Earlier in her life she was known to be shy, but those who now know her cannot believe that. Evelyn loved life, loved to laugh and loved to be on the go. She had a quick smile for everyone. She enjoyed meeting and making new friends.
Evelyn's pastimes with friends and family were going out to eat, playing euchre, shopping at Good Will and attending gospel concerts.
Survivors include a son, Bob Kanippe (fiancée Lora Semon) of Peru; a daughter, Diana Caldwell (husband Verlon Charles "Chuck" Caldwell Jr.) of Mexico; a daughter, Pam Price (husband Greg Price) of Warsaw; three grandchildren of whom she was so proud: Abbey Caldwell, Collin Price and Paige Price; two great-grandchildren, Colton Caldwell and Julian Caldwell; two brothers, James Short (wife Ruby) of Tennessee and Donnie Short (wife Martha) of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bert; sister, Mildred; and three brothers: Hubert, Charles and Franklin.
A celebration of Evelyn's life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 W. Third St., Peru. Funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m., with Pastors Tony Winter and Jeff Pfeifer officiating. Burial service will immediately follow in the Ever-Rest Memorial Park Cemetery chapel, Cass County.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru.
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Memorials to First Church of the Nazarene, Peru; Warsaw Community Church, Community Care Ministry; Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice; or any hearing assistance charity of your choice.
