- Date Of Birth: May 27, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 5, 2017
- State: Michigan
Ruth Augusta Louise Cripps, age 94, of Cassopolis, died peacefully at home Tuesday, September 5, 2017, in the presence of her children. She was born May 27, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Lillian Klomfas. She married Leslie Ray Cripps November 29, 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio.
He preceded her in death. Ruth studied voice starting at a young age, performing in several large churches in Cleveland. She became involved with the Cleveland Playhouse Theater as an operatic soprano and costume designer. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served in the WAC during World War II serving as a PFC dental lab technician. After her military service, she studied journalism at Ohio State University. In 1950 she married her childhood friend, Leslie Cripps, moved to Michigan, bought a farmstead and they became fruit farmers in Berrien Springs.
While raising her family and managing the farm, Ruth was involved with the former Berrien General Hospital Auxiliary as a volunteer, eventually becoming president in 1967-68. She was a Cub Scout den mother. She continued her love of music and occasionally performed in local theater productions. Ruth also had a great love of nature and dogs. She hiked and planted trees wherever she could and enjoyed tending her rose garden. Her final canine companion, the wonderful “Little Dickens,” was her last rescue in a long history of saving dogs whenever she could.
Ruth will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by two daughters, Constance Cripps of Berrien Springs, Allyn (David) Schug of Cassopolis; one son, Jeffrey (Barbara) Cripps of Novi; four grandchildren, Tanya (fiance’ Michael Serra) Cripps, J.D., Stephanie Cripps, M.D., Jonathan (Heather) Guthrie, Evelyn Schug; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Robert Klomfas.
