Lawrence E. Stripe

Lawrence E. “Burr” Stripe of Van Wert finished his race after having lived a full 87 years and passed peacefully into paradise at 5:36 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2016, at Vancrest Health Care Center in Van Wert. He was a passionate peacemaker and a man of highest integrity. As it has been said: “To know him, is to love him!”

Sporting one of many stylish fedoras or roadster caps, Burr always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

Born September 30, 1928, in Van Wert, he was the son of Ida Mae (Moorman) and Jesse Earl Stripe, who both preceded him in death. A lifelong resident of Van Wert and a VWHS graduate, he married Catherine Isabel-LaFreda (Becker) Stripe, who died August 1, 1998, just one month short of their 49th wedding anniversary.

He shared, over the years, in the love of the Church of God, First Church of Christ, and First United Methodist Church, all of Van Wert. Burr worked for D & H Auto Parts (previously Dunson’s) for 29½ years, Eaton Corporation (Aeroquip) in Van Wert 19 years, Washington Auto Parts, and Mac’s Delicatessen for 28 years, until its closing.

Lawrence is survived by four children, twin daughters Marti (Martha) Jean Stripe Stittsworth of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Marcia June (Michael) Stripe Wise of Van Wert, and two sons, John Jay Stripe of Payne and Martin Kelly (Cheryl) Stripe of Defiance; seven grandchildren, Julie (John) Scheurich, Jason (Allison) Stittsworth, Jeanie Stittsworth, Matthew (Daphnia) Wise, Crista Petty, James (Sonya) Stripe, and Samantha Stripe; and 11 great-grandchildren, Amaya Scheurich, Emma Kohler, Khloe Stittsworth, Landen Stittsworth, Catherine Wise, Natalie Wise, Thatcher Wise, McKayla Petty, Donovan Stripe, Dexter Stripe, and Penelope Stripe.

A son-in-law, Gary Alan Stittsworth, and one grandson, James Christian Stittsworth, also preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Ruth Eileen Stripe Howard, John Jacob Stripe, Richard Barton Stripe, Mildred Fredonna JoAn Stripe Adams Clark, Virginia Jeanne Stripe Meeks, Doris Maxine Stripe Edwards, Phyllis Mae Stripe, and Margaret Ellen Stripe Pontius.

He loved family and time spent together, especially playing games of Aggravation, Bananagrams, Sequence, horseshoes, and others. He was an inventor, a wordsmith extraordinaire, and had a fervor for history, maps, and geography. He was an overcomer, undaunted by what life threw his way, and kept a skip in his step and a catchy tune in his whistle. He was self-sacrificing and generous, “moved perhaps more than his share of refrigerators,” and brought joy and laughter to all who would receive it. And though Burr was known by many monikers (“Burr”, “hat man”, or “piano man” – we loved his single-song repertoire), his most endearing and precious moniker was that of “family man,” “dad”, “grandpa”, and “faithful friend.” He lives on in our hearts, never to be forgotten.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 31, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Gus Christo-Baker officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert.

Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, and an hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

The family thanks the entire staff of Vancrest Health Care Center and also State of the Heart Care in Coldwater, who were so heroically, expertly, and lovingly devoted to Burr’s care. We also thank the many family and friends who faithfully stood by him, making his every day richer for it.

Preferred memorials: State of the Heart Care or First United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.