SANDRA LOUELLA GIPE

Sandra Louella Gipe, age 71, of Fort Wayne, passed away early Saturday morning, May 1, 2010 at her residence. Born on July 2, 1938 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Robert Charles and Blanche Annabelle (Harp) Irons.

She was raised in Fort Wayne moving to Churubusco when in the 6th grade. She graduated from Churubusco High School with the Class of 1956. As an adult she moved to Athens, GA for 10 years then to Cleveland, TN and returned to Fort Wayne in 1998. On May 3, 1978, she married William L. Gipe in Columbia City with Rev. Graham L. Kleespie officiating. She first worked at Dailey Express then went to Dana Corporation, retiring in 1998 after 34 years of service as a Division Inventory Analyst. She was a lifetime member of VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries both of Churubusco and former member of Grace Lutheran Church, Columbia City.

Survivors include her husband, William L. Gipe of Fort Wayne; 5 children, Thomas (Tina) Papenbrock, Jr. of Churubusco, Jeff (Deb) Gipe of Columbia City, Jo Anne (Tom) Fey of Columbia City, James (Betty) Gipe of Fort Wayne and Julie Gipe of Columbia City; 1 sister, Roberta Wells of Merrillville; sister of the heart, Karen Miller of Fort Wayne; daughter of the heart, Cindy Sarapata of Cleveland, TN; friends of the heart, Sandy Krider of Churubusco and Carolyn Puff of New Haven; 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Robert Papenbrock, grandson, Brian S. Fey and special friend, Carolyn Bills.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at the funeral home with DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Celebrants officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew's Cemetery. Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Gipe to Whitley County Humane Society or Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.








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