Wynona Darlene Cripe

Wynona Darlene (Nusbaum) Cripe, 89, of Goshen went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully at home on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Darlene was born on Labor Day, September 2, 1935 in Middlebury, Indiana to Elmer and Viola (Mecum) Nusbaum. She graduated from Middlebury High School in May of 1953 and a few weeks later, on June 13, 1953 she married Wayne Leatherman.

Ten years later, on June 20, 1963, Wayne was killed in a semi-truck accident. Darlene later married Jerry Cripe on December 28, 1984. They were blessed with almost 40 years together.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her children, Sue Leatherman (Tom) Young of Elkhart, Sharon Leatherman (Rex) Byers of Kokomo, Timothy Leatherman of Elkhart; stepson, Sydney Cripe of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and stepdaughter in law, Barbara Cripe of Gaston, Oregon.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Thomas (Michelle) Young, Tara (Rodney) Wortinger, Amber Bennington, Amanda (Robert) Comer, Chad (Melissa) Byers, Nicolas Leatherman (Courtney DelVecchio), Mindy (Jason) Dehoff, Jessica (John) Mitchell and Andrew Leatherman; three step-grandchildren, Katie (Brian) Cantu, Steven and Jacob Cripe; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren, due in February 2025; and a sister, Helen (Jack) Koedoot of Jenison, Michigan.

Along with her parents and first husband, Wayne, she was preceded in death by a brother, Glen Nusbaum; daughter-in-law, Dawn Leatherman; step-son, Steven Cripe and step daughter-in-law, Janet Cripe.

A homemaker, Darlene loved playing music, sewing, reading, gardening, making quilts for her grandchildren and spending time with family. She worked at Bristol Laminating, Tulsa DonRey, and Greencroft.

She was a past member of New Life Wesleyan Church of Mooresville, Indiana and has been attending Nappanee Missionary Church for more than 10 years.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. Pastor David Engbrecht of Nappanee Missionary Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Nappanee Missionary Church; https://nmc.church .