Charles “CHET” Cripps, age 80, of 302 North 18th Street, Escanaba, died Saturday morning December 25, 2004 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
Chet was born December 4, 1924, in Dollarville, MI, the son of Frederick and Sarah (Margenson) Cripps. Chet was raised in the Nahma area and attended the Nahma schools. Following his years in school and in 1942, Chet enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 years. In 1945, following his years in the Navy, Chet met and married the former Irene Sebeck, who preceded him in death, and the couple made their home in the Manistique area before eventually moving to the Lower Michigan area. After a number of years in Lower Michigan, Chet relocated back to the Escanaba area. In 1976, he married the former Jolene Wilcox who preceded him in death. Throughout Chet’s life he worked for the Gereau Trucking Company out of Manistique, MI, the Burton Trucking Company out of Newberry, MI and the Giguere Logging Company out of Escanaba, MI. In February of 2001, Chet married the former Gerilynn Michaels in Escanaba and the couple made their home in Escanaba until present day. Chet continued to drive truck his entire life until his health began to fail in recent years. Chet was a member of the Escanaba VFW, the DAV and the Grace Baptist Church in Gladstone. He enjoyed fishing and playing cribbage. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Survivors include: His wife Gerilynn of Escanaba, MI
3 Sons: Fred (Vanessa) Cripps of Mesick, MI
Mel Cripps of Owasso, MI
Abraham Cripps of Owasso, MI
9 Daughters: Wanda (Richard) Vincent of West Branch, MI
Sandra (Ed) Cripps of Escanaba, MI
Tina (Joel) Toole of Thompsonville, MI
Denise (Ed) Fay of Honor, MI
Mary (Mike) Cripps of Henderson, MI
Brenda Cripps of Escanaba, MI
Cheryl Cripps of Owasso, MI
Dawn (Ryan) Jarvey of Gladstone, MI
Roxanne Cripps of Gladstone, MI
2 Step Daughters: Tracy (Jim) Gendron of Escanaba, MI
Tonya (Robert) Monroe of Escanaba, MI
Also surviving are numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Frederick and Sarah, Chet is preceded in death by:
His twin children: Mary and Joseph Cripps
2 Sons: Charles and William Cripps
2 Grandchildren: Charles Dausey Jr. and Kazyah Jarvey
1 Brother: William Cripps
4 Sisters: Vernerva Anthony, Violet Kaiser, LaVerne Beaver and Virginia
Ansell
2 former wives: Irene and Jolene Cripps
Family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00PM to 6:00PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military rites will be conducted, by the Delta County Veterans Council, at 5:45PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Charles “CHET” Cripps will follow military rites at 6:00PM, at the funeral home, with Pastor Lou Howard from the Calvary Baptist Church of Escanaba officiating. Burial will be at 10:00AM, on Friday, at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells.