Harry Ralph Cripps

Harry Ralph Cripps, 90, of Niles, Michigan passed away on May 21, 2016 at his home in Niles. Cremation was arranged with Heritage Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, Michigan. A memorial service will be held at Love Creek Nature Center in Berrien Center, Michigan. The date for the service will be published in the near future.  Interment, with a family graveside ceremony, will be at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. Those wishing to share a memory of Ralph online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com Ralph was born on January 3, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, the second son of the late Harry Roy and Elsie (Krause) Cripps. The family lived in the farming community of Brecksville, Ohio. Ralph attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio receiving a BS and was a Masters Candidate in Marketing at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received medic training while in the Army in 1950 through 1952. He loved to travel and ski, with recent trips to Nova Scotia, Canada; Alaska with his brother Leslie and cousin Victor Cripps; and a recent road trip across the United States, visiting Washington DC and the Appalachian Trail. Ralph was a member of the exclusive “70 +” ski club, reaching the milestone of the “90 + Club” this year. He served as vice president at Kroger (Ohio), The Delson Candy company (New Jersey) and Thomas English Muffin (New Jersey), prior to forming his own financial advising company with his friend Jim Brown. He eventually moved to Michigan to partner with his brother in the development of Park Ridge Estates in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Ralph is survived by his nieces Constance Cripps of Berrien Springs and Allyn “Lyn” (Herb) Schug of Bridgman and his nephew Jeffrey (Barb) Cripps of Novi, Michigan. Ralph is also survived by his close friend Roxanne Cummins of Berrien Center, Michigan, as well as a host of caregivers and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, Leslie Ray Cripps in 2013. Memorial contributions may be made for Love Creek Nature Center through the Berrien County Parks Fund, 701 Main Street St Joseph, Michigan 49085. Ph 269.983.7111