Rene B. Cripe

Rene B. Cripe, 69, of Red Oak, Iowa, and formerly Goshen, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. Rene Benjamin Cripe was born June 5, 1938 in New Paris, Indiana the son of George and Nellie (Speicher) Cripe.  He attended school in Goshen and graduated from Goshen High School in 1956.  Following high school, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean from 1956-1958.  Mr. Cripe lived most of his adult life in Goshen where he was a member of Plymouth United Church of Christ and served as Deacon for four years. His professional career was in the agricultural field with Star Agri Products and later Brock Manufacturing as Regional Sales Manager.      Mr. Cripe was General Manager of Star Agri Products of Red Oak, IA from 1973-1975.  As a Red Oak resident he was a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Elks Club, and the Red Oak Country Club.  In later life he returned to Red Oak where he worked at the John Deere dealership,  JII Sales Promotion, and, in retirement, he worked part-time at Fareway grocery store.  He was an avid reader, and loved gardening and traveling to Florida.      Survivors include his two daughters, Angela Sholtis and husband Alan of Winsted, CT, and Julie Cripe of Goshen, IN and one son, Chad Cripe and wife Cherilyn of Elkhart, IN.  Grandchildren include Nicholas, Ryan, and Alyssa of Winsted, CT, and Sydney of Elkhart, IN; one sister, Sandra Landrie of Ogden, UT; and his very special friend, Jan Hyler of Red Oak, IA.  Friends may call 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 7, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2008 at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home with Dr. Paul Koepke officiating.  Burial will be in the Violet Cemetery in Goshen.  Memorial contributions may be given to Goshen Public Library.