Galen J. Cripe

Galen J. Cripe, 79, of Goshen, died Sunday morning, July 16, 2006, at Goshen General Hospital.   He was born September 9, 1926, in Goshen, Indiana, to Leonard and Treva (Neterer) Cripe.  He married Helen L. Hartranft Reyff on June 23, 1973, at the Goshen City Church of the Brethren.  She survives.   A longtime Goshen resident, Mr. Cripe, was a rural mail carrier with the Goshen Post Office for 35 years.  He was a member of the First United Church of Christ, Goshen, and a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and the NRA.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.  Mr. Cripe had been wintering in Sebring, Florida since 1983.   Mr. Cripe is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters, Deb (Dave) Ott and Rita Phillips, both of Goshen; two sons, Jeff Cripe of Wawasee, Indiana, and Jerry Lee (Jewellie) Cripe of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two step-daughters, Maryann Snyder of Fishers, Indiana, and Dianne (John) Andreula of Old Bridge, New Jersey; and a step-son, Tom (Cheryl) Reyff of Middlebury, Indiana.  Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol (John) Eldridge of Goshen, Indiana, and a brother Larry (Micki) Cripe of Richmond, Virginia.   He was preceded in death by a brother, Ned Cripe and three granddaughters.   Friends may call 12 to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at the First United Church of Christ, 110 S. 5th St., Goshen.   A 1:00 p.m. funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, at the church.  Rev. Carl Adams of the First United Church of Christ will officiate.   Burial will be at a later date in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.   Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Church of Christ.