Kenneth Devon Cripe

Kenneth Devon Cripe, 74, of Van Wert, died at 12:09 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011, at Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.

He was born December 21, 1936, in Elkhart, Ind., the son of the late Kenneth and Hilda E. (Rhoades) Cripe Holtzinger. On November 17, 1963, he married Janet Louise Cripe, who preceded him in death on June 28, 1998.

Mr. Cripe had sold insurance for the Kentucky Central Life Insurance Company and, as Kevin Devon, was news announcer for WERT Radio in Van Wert for many years. He also volunteered at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center and Adult Day Care Center for Community Health Professionals. He was a member of Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert and was active in the singles group. He attended Manchester College in Manchester, Ind., studying communications. He was a member of the Van Wert County Historical Society, was an avid post card collector, wrote poetry and enjoyed singing. “In His Arms, Saved by grace. Lord with You, we’re in a better place.”

Survivors include a son, Douglas (Sarah) Cripe of Van Wert; one sister, Carolyn Colver of Elkhart, Ind.; a brother, Steve (Ann Meyers) Cripe of North Manchester, Ind.; two grandchildren, Alyna Cripe and Margaret Cripe; his father-in-law, Albert E. Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2011, at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, with Pastors Steve Savage and Neil Hammons officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Cemetery in rural Van Wert County.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center, Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert or the Van Wert County Historical Society.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.cowanfuneralhome.com.