Loyal Cripe, 89, of Delphi, died Tuesday-November 29, 2011 at 9:23am at St. Elizabeth healthcare Center-Delphi. He had been a resident there since April 2010. He was born Jan. 26, 1922 in Rockfield, IN, to the late James H. & Bertha Loy Cripe. His marriage was to Betty J. McKinley in Delphi on Sept. 11, 1955, and she preceded him in death on May 18, 2011. He was a 1940 graduate of Delphi High School, and in the Army Air Corps from 1942-1945, stationed in the South Pacific, as a control tower operator. He farmed in Carroll County all his life, and drove a school bus for the Delphi Community School Corp., for several years. He was a member of the Delphi United Methodist Church, and was a trustee, a member of the Delphi IOOF Lodge, and the Delphi American Legion Post #75. Surviving are sons, James "Jim" & Nancy Cripe, Delphi, IN, John & Laura Cripe, Downs, IL, and Kevin & Kim Cripe, Delphi, IN; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call Thursday from 5-8pm at Abbott Funeral Home-Delphi, service there Friday at 11am, Rev. Todd Ladd officiating. Burial at Masonic Cemetery-Delphi, with Delphi & Camden American Legion, & Delphi VFW military graveside rites. Memorial contributions to the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center activity fund, envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences: abbottfuneralhome@frontier.com.