Obituary of Lewis L. Crippen

Lewis L. Crippen, 88, of Hummelstown, Pa., formerly of Youngsville, died Friday, April 9, 2010. He was born in Oil City on April 22, 1921, the son of Frank & Armina Russell Crippen. Lewis retired as Director of the Dauphin County Agency on Aging. He was a 1938 graduate of Youngsville High School and a 1969 graduate of Edinboro University. During his life he was an administrator for the former National Forge, a staff writer and photographer for the Youngsville Edition of the Warren Observer, served three terms as a Warren County Commissioner, created and announced the Youngsville News on WNAE, and served one term as Mayor of Youngsville. He began running the Warren Retired Senior Volunteer Program in the early 1970's, and then the Dauphin County R.S.V.P. program in 1973. Lewis was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served during WWII. Very active in the United Methodist Church, he was a long-time member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown. While living in Youngsville, he was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church where he was one of the founding members of BIC (Bound In Christ) class and was the instructor for twenty years. In the late 1990's, the BIC celebrated their fifty year anniversary. Lew was administrator of the Faith in Action Grant Program. He was a Scout Master of the Youngsville Boy Scouts of America and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award. Lew enjoyed writing poetry and visiting historic places, but he especially loved to volunteer. He was humble in the fact that he did so much for so many, without asking any recognition of his volunteerism. Lew always maintained his roots in the Youngsville Area and visited often. Survivors include his wife of sixty-seven years, Margaret Bower Crippen, whom he married on June 12, 1942; two daughters, Kathleen Crippen, Mentor, Oh. and Barbara L. (Danny) Haukedalen, Pilot Hill, Ca.; two sons, David M. (Marsha L.), Beavercreek, Oh. and Shawn L. (Laurie A.), Middletown, Pa.;eight grandchildren, Joseph, Brian and Patrick Barbara, Michelle Long, Jennifer Core, Meagan Sterner, Joshua and Sarah Crippen; six great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law Eudora Bower. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Crippen, and three sisters Vivian Gilland, Frances Blume and Evelyn Crippen. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Youngsville Evangelical United Methodist Church. The Rev. Annette Gerber, pastor, will officiate. Friends will be received for two hours prior to the funeral service in the church.Burial will be in Warren County Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Youngsville Evangelical United Methodist Church, 18 Second St., Youngsville, Pa. 16371, or to Boy Scouts of America, Keystone Area Council, 1 Baden Powell Lane, P.O. Box 389, Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055. The Hubert-Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Youngsville, is in charge of arrangements. View condolences for Lewis L. Crippen.