ELKHART - Michael Dean Cripe, 56, of Elkhart, Indiana lost his brief battle with cancer on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Elkhart Hospice House surrounded by his family.
He was born February, 10, 1959 in Elkhart, to Dean and Sanita (Fiorentino) Cripe. Michael spent most of his life entertaining people around the world. He was an enormously talented individual who could sing and dance his way across any stage, even those floating on water. He starred on Broadway with Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria.
Michael graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1977.
He is survived by both his parents, Dean and Sanita Cripe and four siblings, Deb (Tony) Kaehr of Cincinnati, OH, Diane (Tim) Krill of Bristol, IN, Jeff (Karen) Cripe of Union, MI and Stephanie (Tim) Yoder of Bristol, IN; nieces and nephews, Marissa (Paul) Kerley, Ashley (Jason) Gardner, Chelsea (Matt) Dietz, Lindsey (Michael) Rangel and Christian Yoder; four great nieces and nephews with another on the way and his beloved dog, Fritz.
Michael's life will be celebrated beginning with a visitation from 5-9 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2015 at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015 with an hour visitation prior to the mass at St. Mary of The Annunciation Catholic Church, 401 E. Vistula St. Bristol, IN. Reverend Robert VanKempen will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart. The family kindly request memorials be made to The Elkhart Civic Theatre, P.O. Box 252, Bristol, IN 46507. To send a condolence to Michael's family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com