Donnabelle May (Cripe) Martin, Timbercrest, North Manchester, departed on her final trip on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019.
She was born on Sept. 18, 1920, in Wakarusa, to Roscoe and Lois (Hooley) Cripe Sr.
She graduated from Wakarusa High School with the Class of 1938. In her early years she worked at Boris Smoler & Son Dress Factory as a seamstress for four years, sewing Navy wool skirts for World War II.
She married Paul L. Martin on Feb. 26, 1943, who passed on Dec. 30, 1997. Together they owned Paul’s Mobile Homes, where she was secretary for 30 years.
She is survived by a daughter: Carolyn (Danny) Keaffaber, North Manchester; a granddaughter: Rachelle (William) Mabee; grandson: Chadd (Jaime) Keaffaber; three great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers: Dean (Sanita) Cripe, Elkhart; Roscoe Cripe Jr. and Robert Cripe; a sister: Phyllis Risser; and two sisters-in-law, Betty and Miriam are deceased.
She was a member of First Baptist Church. She loved life and lived every day enthusiastically. She loved her family and many friends and treasured their presence in her life. She was a former member of Goshen Quester Antique Club and Goshen Women Club. She also was a member of the Valley Ladies of IMHA.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 26, and one hour prior to the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 27, all at Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St., Goshen. Burial will follow at Yellow Creek Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the First Baptist Church, Bristol.
