Donald Forrest Cripps, 92, passed away on Monday, Sept.3, 2012. He was born on February 12, 1920 in Battle Creek, to Forrest and Gladys (Smith) Cripps. His family moved to Athens, Michigan, in 1930. Don graduated from Athens High School in 1939 where he was a top football player and swimmer. After graduation, Don enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard and was assigned to C Company, 126th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division. His unit fought in a savage battle at Buna in Papua, New Guinea, suffering eighty percent casualties. Don was wounded by a sniper on December 26, 1942, and was carried on a litter by natives to a field hospital where he was evacuated to Sydney, Australia. He recovered there and served the remainder of the war in General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters. While in Australia, he met Jacqueline Mary Lee and, after a five-month courtship, they married. They had one son while in Australia and three daughters upon returning to the United States. She was his lifelong love and companion for sixty-seven years until her death in 2009. Don was a loyal employee for thirty-four years at the Kellogg Company, missing only a single day of work. He was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. He also belonged to the Battle Creek Exchange Club. Don was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, serving in many capacities such as fundraising with the “Fifty/Fifty Club.” He helped establish the St. Joseph parish Boy Scout Troop 5. He is reputed to be the longest tenured member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, serving as secretary for many years. For over fifty years Don never missed the annual parish men’s religious retreat. Don had a variety of interests. He loved collecting and was especially proud of his extensive Australian stamp collection. He drove his children to St. Philip High School football games and continued to attend games long after they had graduated. He enjoyed golfing with Jackie in his retirement. A special delight for him was his monthly meetings with the other four remaining members of Company C. Don and Jackie traveled together across the U.S. and Europe and several times back to Australia. For thirty years they wintered in Florida. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and dear friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Jackie; brother, Harold Cripps; and sisters, Evelyn Converse and Virginia Converse. He leaves behind his son Dennis (Sherry) Cripps of Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughters: Jeanine/Jonny (Frank) Skeltis of Battle Creek; Robyn (Robert) Cronin of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania; and Anne (Harry) Yerby of Battle Creek. His grandchildren are Douglas (Stacey) Cripps; Kimberly Skeltis (James Hecksel); Philip (Valerie) Skeltis; Amy (James) Downing; Ellen Cronin; Michael Cronin; Meg Yerby; Andrew Yerby; and great-grandson, Dane Cripps. He also leaves numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be at the Richard Henry Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday, Sept. 7 at 10:00 a.m. with interment at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 61 N. 23rd St., Battle Creek, 49015.
