Grace “Gracie” E. Cripe, 91,Topeka, passed away at 2:54 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, at Avalon Village in Ligonier.

She was born July 29, 1925, to Emile and Rose (Halbauer) Willsey in Lake City, S.D. On June 5, 1943, Grace married Harvey A. Cripe in Elkhart. He preceded her in death on June 29, 1983.

Grace had a lot of talent along with numerous skills. For 26 years she worked as a farm wife with her family. She also worked for many years until her retirement as a factory worker with Starcraft. She was an avid reader and was a very good seamstress.  A member of the Noble County Extension  Homemakers Club as well as a part of the Rosary Sodality at St. Patrick’s Church in Ligonier.  Card games such as euchre, canasta and other games is how she loved to spend time with her family and friends.

Surviving are her son, Ken (Sharon) Cripe, Wawaka; daughter, Rita Cripe, Goshen; grandchildren; Harvard Jones, Brandon, Fla.; David (Amanda) Cripe and their children; Ethan, Caden and Lauren, all of Brentwood, Tenn.;  Shawn Cripe, Fort Wayne; Jessica (Robert) Martin and their children: Lucy and Lanie, all of Ligonier; Jeremy (Jen) Cripe and their children; Chloe, Jocelyn, Bailey and Elijah, all of Auburn, Ala.; three sisters; Dorothy Mynhier, Edith Dotson, and Marjorie Willsey also survive, along with several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Cripe was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Shirley Jones.

A funeral service will be held in Mrs. Cripe’s honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, IN, 46767.  Father Wilson Corzo will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home.