GARTH E. CRIPE

Garth Cripe

Garth E. Cripe, 77, of Astoria died at 7:05 a.m. Oct. 4, 2021, at Mason District Hospital in Havana.

He was born Oct. 8, 1943, in Beardstown, a son of Robert and Maureen Crone Cripe of Astoria. He married Carolyn Long on June 27, 1970, in Beardstown. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Todd (and Debbie Nitcher) of Auxvasse, Mo., and Scott (and Amanda) of Lewistown; one brother, Brian (and Sharon) Cripe of Forsyth; two nephews; one niece; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He graduated from Astoria High School in 1961 and went on to college to graduate from Canton Community College and then Illinois College in 1968. While in college he played football for the Illinois College Blueboys as a kicker and lineman. He was the first player to kick a field goal at the Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., at their then-new stadium. He also was the only kicker at Illinois College to return his own kickoff.

He earned a bachelors degree in biology. He began his teaching career at Ashland High School and then completed his years of teaching at Astoria High School from 1970-99 where he taught English, Biology and Speech. Along with teaching he had a long coaching career that included football, basketball and track. He worked many summers along-side his friend, Dick Keene as a contractor for Pioneer seed managing a corn detasseling crew. He was an Astoria Township supervisor for the city of Astoria for several years.

He was a charter member of the Astoria Lion’s Club. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and The National Wild Turkey Federation. For The National Wild Turkey Federation, he spent several years on the Spoon River Gobbler’s Committee helping to organize the local annual fundraising banquet. He coached pony league during the summer.

Services will be held at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with visitation taking place on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 2-4 p.m. and funeral service will be held Monday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. with Eric Trone officiating.

In his memory, his family is establishing a memorial scholarship. Memorials may be made to this fund in care of Ipava State Bank. Memorials also may be made to the Astoria Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be sent to shawgomemorialhome.org.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 10/6/2021