Leslie Cripps

Leslie Ray Cripps, 89, of Berrien Spring passed away on February 6 at the home of his daughter surrounded by his family.

Cremation will take place and was arranged by Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel in Bridgman, Michigan. 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman. A memorial service will be held April 20 at 2 PM, at Love Creek Nature Center in Berrien Center, Michigan. Interment, with a family graveside ceremony, will be at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

Leslie was born December 23, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio the son of the late Harry Roy and Elsie (Krause) Cripps. The family lived in the farming community of Brecksville, Ohio. He moved to Michigan in 1948 and graduated from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a BA degree in Landscape Architecture. He was a member of the Marine’s Recruit Officers’ Training Corps during World War II. He married Ruth L. Klomfas of Cleveland, Ohio on November 29, 1950 and they settled in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Les worked for the city of Benton Harbor as the head of Parks and Recreation and later as the Director of Urban Renewal. While working for the city of Benton Harbor, he also started a fruit farm in Berrien Springs. He later created a consulting service where he worked with many communities in Southwest Michigan to get funding to improve the lives of private homeowners as well as upgrading city services. Les was instrumental in the development of several county and state parks in Pennsylvania as well as Michigan. His final impact on the area was to develop the Park Ridge Preserve Estates with his brother Ralph where many families now live and raise their families in a beautiful country setting. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and was accompanied by family members and fishing buddy Jim Rumery on many fishing trips. Snow skiing, trips to Alaska and to Nova Scotia allowed him to enjoy his passion of fishing and being outdoors.

Les is survived by the mother of his children, Ruth Cripps, Bridgman; children – Constance Cripps of Bridgman, Allyn “Lyn” (Herb) Schug of Bridgman, Jeffrey (Barbara) Cripps of Novi, Michigan; brother – H. Ralph Cripps, Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Jonathan (Heather) Guthrie of Kansas City, Kansas, Tanya Cripps of Novi, Michigan and Stephanie Cripps of Novi, Michigan.

Les was preceded in death by his companion of 20 years, Helen Ellis.

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

Memorial Service

2 PM ,Saturday, April 20, 2013
Love Creek Nature Center
9292 Huckleberry Road Berrien center, MI, Berrien 49102

Family Graveside Ceremony

Brooklyn Heights Cemetery
Cleveland, OH