Evelyn Cripe, 89 / April 19, 1921 — Feb. 6, 2011

Published 10:32 pm Monday, February 7, 2011

Evelyn Virginia Cripe, 89, of Niles passed away peacefully at West Woods of Niles on  Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011.

Evelyn Cripe was born in South Bend, Ind. on April 19, 1921 to Michael L. and Helen J. (Szczypiorski) Radecki.  Evelyn was the first of five children and lived most of her life on or near the Radecki family farm on Yankee Street in Niles.

Cripe

Her very first job was working in the cafeteria at the University of Notre Dame. She later worked as an assembler for Electro-Voice and as a folder for Simplicity Pattern before retiring from Indiana University at South Bend as a custodian in the dental clinic. She was a long-time member of Coulter’s Chapel Church of God.

Evelyn enjoyed a variety of hobbies, from cake decorating to ceramics and other various crafts, but she was most happy when she was spending time with her family. Nothing put a bigger smile on her face than when Lauren, Gillian, Amelia or Rowan would come running into the house shouting for “Buscia!” She spent a great deal of her time with her sisters and especially enjoyed the two-day trip they would make to Shipshewana each year.

Evelyn was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. We will remember her for her kind and caring nature and her compassion, generosity and unconditional love.

She is survived by her son, James (Judy) Cripe of Niles; her daughter, Ginney (Randy) Stevens of Niles; two grandsons, Rodney (Mary) Cripe of Grand Rapids and Jeffery (Lacee) Cripe of Centreville; four great-grandchildren, Lauren Cripe, Gillian Cripe and Rowan Cripe of Centreville and Amelia Cripe of Grand Rapids; one brother, Harry Radecki of Niles; and two sisters, Bette Dodd of Niles and Patricia (Jerry) Kissinger of Mentone, Ind. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Richard Radecki.

Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mission Hills with the service beginning at 1 p.m. Friday also at Mission Hills 61453 M-51, Niles. Pastor Jerry Kissinger will be officiating.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Evelyn may do so to Hospice at Home 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or to the Activity Fund at West Woods of Niles 1211 Stateline Rd., Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences, photos and memories can be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.