Oct. 26, 1919-July 24, 2006

Helen (Saunders) Cripe, 86, Greencastle, formerly of St. Joseph, Mich., died Monday at Mill Pond Health Campus.

She was the daughter of the late George and Ruby (Messmer) Saunders. She married Robert Dean Cripe on May 17, 1941, and he preceded her in death.

A graduate of Chicago High School, she owned and operated F&A Uniform Foundation Shop in LaPorte from 1971-81. Also she worked as an accountant for Raytheon Company in Michigan City for 20 years.

She was a member of First Church of God, St. Joseph, Mich, and also belonged to several quilting clubs in the Indiana and Michigan areas. She volunteered at the Krasl Art Museum in St. Joseph and at the St. Joseph Library. She also volunteered for the U.S.O. during World War II.

Survivors include daughters Llani O'Connor, Chicago, Roberta Lanie and husband John, Greencastle, Meri Preuss and husband Jerry, Lafayette, Sarah Sentman and husband Bill, Charleston, W.Va., Nancy Hobt and husband Dan, Nevada, Iowa., and Melissa Schultz, St. Joseph, Mich.; a son, Larry Cripe and wife Mary Jacobs, Indianapolis; a sister, Carol Barnheiser, Chicago; and 12 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brian Lanie.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 520 E. Seminary St., Greencastle, with the Rev. William Wieland officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Brian Lanie Memorial Scholarship Putnam County Foundation, care of Berd and John Lanie, 518 Brentfield, Greencastle, or the library fund of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent to inbth@keystonegroup.com