Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Edward Leo ‘Eddie’ Crippen


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Edward Leo ‘Eddie’ Crippen and 16 of his descendants down to the fourth generation.


First Generation
1. Edward Leo ‘Eddie’ Crippen,1 born 2 October 1887 in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan, the son of George H. Crippen and Josephine M. Taylor (born Josephine M. Hall);1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 18 January 1962 in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan.2 Eddie married, 30 December 1905 in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan, Mae Elizabeth Wait9 (born 26 March 1890 in Allegan County, Michigan, the daughter of William H. Wait and Nina I. Walker;4, 6, 7, 8, 9 Mae died 19746). Their marriage ended in divorce in 1913.7 Eddie is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan.2 Mae is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana.6

Children of Edward Leo ‘Eddie’ Crippen and Mae Elizabeth Wait:

 2i. Fannie I. Crippen, born 4 June 1906 in Van Buren County, Michigan;10 died 26 August 1909 in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan.10, 11 Fannie is buried in Harrison Cemetery, Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan.10
+3ii. Miles E. Crippen, born 1908 in Michigan; died 1979. Married Nora E. Dutton.
+4iii. George Erwin ‘Spunk’ Crippen, born 17 April 1910 in Glenwood, Cass County, Michigan; died 16 June 1976 in Plainwell, Allegan County, Michigan. Married Reba Belle Wagner.

  1. Michigan Births, 1867-1902; Eddie Crippen, born: 2 October 1887 in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan; father: Geo. H. Crippen, farmer, born in Michigan; mother: Josephine Crippen, born in Michigan.
  2. Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995, available at familysearch.org. Edward Leo Crippen, died: 18 January 1962 in Decatur Twp., Van Buren [County], Michigan; born: 2 October 1886 in Lawton, Michigan; divorced; father: George Crippen; mother: Josephine Hall; spouse: May Crippen; burial: Prospect Hill Cemetery.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Michigan, Van Buren County, Decatur Township, E.D. 139, Sheet No. 3B, George Crippin [indexed as Criffin], 50, Michigan, May 1850, farmer; wife of 24 years Josephine M. Crippen, 46, Michigan, Mch. 1854, 3 children, 2 living; son Free Crippin, 20, Michigan Apr. 1880, farm laborer; son Eddie Crippin, 12, Michigan, Oct. 1887; brother Charles J. Crippin, 60, New York, Apr. 1840, d[ivorced], farm laborer.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Cass County, Wayne Township, E.D. 118, Sheet No. 2B, Edward Crippen, 23, Michigan, laborer, farm; wife of 5 years May Crippen, 20, Michigan, 3 children, 2 living; son Miles Crippen, 1, Michigan.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Van Buren County, Decatur Township, E.D. 187, Sheet No. 3B-4A, Josephine Crippen, 68, Michigan, widow, farm manager, own farm; son Freeman Crippen, 39, Michigan, farm laborer, working out; son Edward Crippen, 32, Michigan, divorced, farm laborer, working out; grandson Miles Crippen, 10, Michigan; grandson Erwin Crippen, 8, Michigan.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Greenwood Cemetery, Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana, Mae E. Carlson, born: 1890; died: 1974 (from record, which provides the name and link for her husband).
  7. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2018/2019, Application for Marriage License, and Certificate of Marriage [in separate entries], Frank Welcher, born: 27 November 1886 in Case County, Michigan; chaffeur [sic]; father: father: Del Welcher, farmer, born in Michigan; mother: Alice Poorman, born in Michigan; married once, divorced in 1911; Mae E. Wait, born: 26 March 1890 in Allegan County, Michigan; father: William H. Wait, farmer, born in Michigan; mother: Nina I. Walker, deceased; married once, divorced in 1913; married on 25 October 1915 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
  8. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2018/2019, Oliver Edward Carlson, born: 5 August 1901 in Deerfield, Illinois; father: Albert Carlson; mother: Clara Swanson; May Elizabeth Grimes, born: 26 March 1892 [sic] in Allegan County, Michigan; father: William H. Wait; mother: Nina Walker; married on 1 August 1931 in Porter [County], Indiana.
  9. Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925, Ed L. Crippen, age 18, born in Michigan, farmer, father: Geo. Crippen; mother: Josephine Taylor; not previously married; May Wait, age 16, born in Michigan, father: W. H. Wait; mother: Nina I. Walker; not previously married; married on 30 December 1905 in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Harrison Cemetery, Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan, Fannie Crippen, born: 4 June 1906 in Van Buren County, Michigan; died: 26 August 1909 in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan (from record, which includes a note naming her parents).
  11. Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995, available at familysearch.org. Fannie I. Crippen, died: 26 August 1909 in Decatur, Van Buren [County], Michigan, age 3, born in Michigan; father: Edward L. Crippen; mother: Mae E. Wright.
Second Generation
3. Miles E. Crippen2 (Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 1908 in Michigan;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 1979.1 Miles married, 19 February 1927 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Nora E. Dutton7 (born 19 June 1907 in Warren, Salamonie County, Indiana, the daughter of Daniel Dutton and Gertrude Russel;5, 6, 7, 8 Nora died 1 January 1996 in Hohenwald, Lewis County, Tennessee6, 8). Miles and Nora are buried in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.1, 6

Children of Miles E. Crippen and Nora E. Dutton:

+5i. Russell Edward Crippen, born 17 January 1928 in Mattawan, Van Buren County, Michigan; died 31 October 2008. Married Arlene Grace Smith.
+6ii. Beverly J. Crippen, born 1931 in Indiana; died 30 September 1993 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Married James L. Liles.
+7iii. Ola Marie Crippen, born 3 September 1934 in Michigan. Married Norman Bailey.
+8iv. Margaret Ann Crippen, born 15 June 1936 in Michigan. Married John H. Milbeck.
 9v. Robert Miles Crippen, born 12 October 1937 in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, Michigan;4, 5, 9, 10, 11 died 26 December 1999 in Hohenwald, Lewis County, Tennessee.9, 10, 11 Robert is buried in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.9
+10vi. Alta L. Crippen, born 5 August 1941 in Michigan. Married Roger L. Boven.

4. George Erwin ‘Spunk’ Crippen2 (Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 17 April 1910 in Glenwood, Cass County, Michigan;3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 died 16 June 1976 in Plainwell, Allegan County, Michigan.13, 14 Spunk married, 23 February 1940 in LaGrange County, Indiana, Reba Belle Wagner18 (born 1 October 1919 in Butler, DeKalb County, Indiana, the daughter of Homer J. Wagner and Joy Belle McClellen;16, 17, 18, 19 Reba died 8 November 2003 in Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas19). Spunk is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan.13

Children of George Erwin ‘Spunk’ Crippen and Reba Belle Wagner:

 11i. Fern Elizabeth Crippen, born 13 January 1942 in Michigan.17, 20
+12ii. Martha Ann Crippen, born 22 April 1943 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan; died 7 September 2022 in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan. Married Roger Dale Willcox.
 13iii. Vernon George Crippen, born 1 July 1946 in Indiana.17, 20

  1. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Miles E. Crippen, born: 1908; died: 1979 (from record, which provides the name and link for his wife).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Cass County, Wayne Township, E.D. 118, Sheet No. 2B, Edward Crippen, 23, Michigan, laborer, farm; wife of 5 years May Crippen, 20, Michigan, 3 children, 2 living; son Miles Crippen, 1, Michigan.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Van Buren County, Decatur Township, E.D. 187, Sheet No. 3B-4A, Josephine Crippen, 68, Michigan, widow, farm manager, own farm; son Freeman Crippen, 39, Michigan, farm laborer, working out; son Edward Crippen, 32, Michigan, divorced, farm laborer, working out; grandson Miles Crippen, 10, Michigan; grandson Erwin Crippen, 8, Michigan.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo, E.D. 39-20, Sheet No. 5A, Miles Crippen, 31, Michigan, laborer, farm; wife Nora Crippen, 32, Indiana; son Russell Crippen, 12, Michigan; daughter Beverley Crippen, 8, Indiana; daughter Ola Crippen, 5, Michigan; daughter Margaret Crippen, 3, Michigan; son Robert Crippen, 2, Michigan.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo, E.D. 89-3, Sheet No. 12-13, Miles E. Crippen, 41, Michigan, printing press operator, stationary [sic] manufacturers; wife Nora E. Crippen, 42, Michigan, housework, private family; daughter Ola M. Crippen, 15, Michigan, child care, private home; daughter Margaret A. Crippen, 13, Michigan; son Robert M. Crippen, 11, Michigan; daughter Alta L. Crippen, 8, Michigan; son-in-law James L. Liles, 19, Missouri, brakeman, paper mill; daughter Beverly J. Liles, 18, Indiana; grandson Kenneth A. Liles, Nov[ember], Michigan.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Nora E. Dutton Crippen, born: 1907; died: 1996 (from record, which provides the name and link for her husband).
  7. Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940, Miles Crippen, age 19, born in Paw Paw, Michigan, pressman; father: Ed L. Crippen; mother: Mae Waite; not previously married; Nora Dutton, age 19, born in Warren, Indiana; father: Daniel Dutton; mother: Gertrude Russel; not previously married; married on 19 February 1927 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
  8. Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006, Herrick Public Library, Nora E. Crippen, died: 1 January 1996 in Hohenwald, Tennessee; born: 19 June 1907 in Warren, Indiana. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, husband, children and their spouses.
  9. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Robert M. Crippen, born: 1937; died: 1999 (from record).
  10. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Program Correspondence/Document, Robert Miles Crippen, died: 26 December 1999; born: 12 October 1937 in Schoolcraft, Michigan; father: Miles E. Crippen; mother: Nora E. Dutton.
  11. Michigan Obituaries, 1820-2006, Herrick Public Library, Robert M. Crippen, died: 25 December 1999 in Hohenwald, Tennessee; born: 12 October 1937 in Schoolcraft. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of his parents, children, and siblings.
  12. Michigan, County Births, 1867-1917, Cass County, George E. Crippin, born: 17 April 1910 in Glenwood, Cass County, Michigan; father: Edward Crippin, laborer, born in Michigan; mother: May Wait, born in Michigan.
  13. Find a Grave (website). Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan, George Erwin “Spunk” Crippen, born: 1910; died: 1975 [sic, his gravestone and death record show he died in 1976] (from record).
  14. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; George E. Crippen, died: 16 June 1976 in Plainwell, Allegan [County], Michigan; born: 17 April 1910; residence place: Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo [County], Michigan.
  15. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Van Buren County, Waverly Township, 82-32, Sheet No. 1B, Josephine Crippen, 80, Michigan, farmer, general; son Freeman Crippen, 49, Michigan, farmer, general; grandson Irwin Crippen, 20, Michigan, laborer, factory.
  16. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo, E.D. 39-47, Sheet No. 11A, George E. Crippen, 28, Michigan, drag line operator, power plant; wife Reba Crippen, 20, Indiana.
  17. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Allegan County, Trowbridge, E.D. 3-77, Sheet No. 3, George E. Crippen, 40, Michigan, repairman, Allegan coop; wife Reba B. Crippen, 30, Indiana; daughter Fern E. Crippen, 8, Michigan; daughter Martha A. Crippen, 6, Michigan; son Vernon G. Crippen, 4, Indiana.
  18. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2018/2019, Application for Marriage License Male and Female [separate sections], and Certificate of Marriage: George Erwin Crippen, born: 17 April 1912 [sic, his birth record is dated 1910] in Decatur, Van Buren County, Michigan; occupation: operator; father: Edward L. Crippen, born in Decatur, Michigan, farmer; mother: May Waite, born in Glenwood, Michigan; first marriage; Reba Belle Wagner, born: 1 October 1919 in Butler, DeKalb County, Indiana; father: Homer J. Wagner, born in Butler, Indiana, farmer; mother: Joy Belle McClellen, born in Butler, Indiana; married once before, divorced on 6 October 1938; married on 23 February 1940 in LaGrange County, Indiana.
  19. Obituary, legacy.com; Reba Belle (Wagner) Karn, died: 8 November 2003 in Lancaster, Texas; born: 1 October 1919 in Butler, Indiana. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, siblings, three husbands, and children.
  20. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
Third and Fourth Generations
5. Russell Edward Crippen3 (Miles,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 17 January 1928 in Mattawan, Van Buren County, Michigan;1, 2, 3 died 31 October 2008.1 Russell married, 4 December 1948, Arlene Grace Smith5 (born 28 February 1928 in Scotts, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, the daughter of Rudolph Smith and Mabel Erikson;3, 4, 5 Arlene died 19 August 20094, 5).

Children of Russell Edward Crippen and Arlene Grace Smith:

 14i. Louise Elizabeth Crippen, born December 1950.6
 15ii. Edde Russell Crippen, born 16 February 1953.6
 16iii. Terri Ellen Crippen, born 4 November 1957.6

6. Beverly J. Crippen3 (Miles,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 1931 in Indiana;2, 7, 8 died 30 September 1993 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.7, 9 Beverly married James L. Liles (born 1931 in Missouri, parents not determined;8, 10 James died 199610). Beverly and James are buried in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park North, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.10, 7

Child of Beverly J. Crippen and James L. Liles:

 17i. Kenneth A. Liles, born November 1949 in Michigan.8

7. Ola Marie Crippen3 (Miles,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 3 September 1934 in Michigan.2, 6, 8 Ola married, 18 June 1955 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Norman Bailey11 (born ____, parents not determined).

8. Margaret Ann Crippen3 (Miles,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 15 June 1936 in Michigan.2, 6, 8 Margaret married John H. Milbeck (born 26 February 1935, parents not determined;6, 12 John died 201512). John is buried in Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.12

10. Alta L. Crippen3 (Miles,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 5 August 1941 in Michigan.6, 8 Alta married, 22 August 1959 in Bethel Township, Branch County, Michigan, Roger L. Boven13 (born 26 May 1939, parents not determined13).

12. Martha Ann Crippen3 (George ‘Spunk’,2 Edward ‘Eddie’1), born 22 April 1943 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan;14, 15 died 7 September 2022 in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan.15 Martha married, 3 November 1993 in Grant County, Indiana, Roger Dale Willcox15 (born 25 October 1948, parents not determined6).

  1. United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages, 1980-2014, Russell Edward or Russ Crippen, died: 31 October 2008 in Michigan; born: 17 January 1928 in Mattawan [Michigan].
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo, E.D. 39-20, Sheet No. 5A, Miles Crippen, 31, Michigan, laborer, farm; wife Nora Crippen, 32, Indiana; son Russell Crippen, 12, Michigan; daughter Beverley Crippen, 8, Indiana; daughter Ola Crippen, 5, Michigan; daughter Margaret Crippen, 3, Michigan; son Robert Crippen, 2, Michigan.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Portage, E.D. 34-77, Sheet No. 71, Russell E. Crippen, 22, Michigan, trucker, paper mill; wife Arlene Crippen, 22, Michigan, sec[retery], KO crippled children.
  4. United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages, 1980-2014, Arlene Grace Crippen, died: 19 August 2009; born: 28 February 1928 in Scotts [Michigan]; residence place: Kalamazoo; father: Rudolph Smith; mother: Mabel Erikson Smith; other name: Russell Edward Crippen [her husband].
  5. Obituary, legacy.com; Arlene Grace Crippen, died: 19 August 2009; born: 28 February 1928 in Scott [Michigan]. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, siblings, husband, nephews, children and their spouses.
  6. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park North, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Beverly J. Liles, born: 1931; died: 1993 (from record).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo, E.D. 89-3, Sheet No. 12-13, Miles E. Crippen, 41, Michigan, printing press operator, stationary [sic] manufacturers; wife Nora E. Crippen, 42, Michigan, housework, private family; daughter Ola M. Crippen, 15, Michigan, child care, private home; daughter Margaret A. Crippen, 13, Michigan; son Robert M. Crippen, 11, Michigan; daughter Alta L. Crippen, 8, Michigan; son-in-law James L. Liles, 19, Missouri, brakeman, paper mill; daughter Beverly J. Liles, 18, Indiana; grandson Kenneth A. Liles, Nov[ember], Michigan.
  9. Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995, available at familysearch.org. Beverly J. Liles, died: 30 September 1993 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, age 61; father: Miles Crippen; mother: Nora Dutton; spouse: James Liles.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park North, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, James L. Liles, born: 1931; died: 1996 (from record).
  11. Marriage Announcement, The Courier Northern, Paw Paw, Michigan (available at digmichnews.cmich.edu), Sunday, 24 June 1955, wedding of Miss Ola Crippen and Norman Bailey in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday [18 June 1955].
  12. Find a Grave (website). Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, John H. Milbeck, born: 1935; died: 2015 (from record).
  13. Marriage Announcement, The Courier Northern, Paw Paw, Michigan (available at digmichnews.cmich.edu), Friday, 28 August 1959, wedding of Miss Alta Crippen and Roger Boven in Bethel on Saturday [22 August 1959].
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, Michigan, Allegan County, Trowbridge, E.D. 3-77, Sheet No. 3, George E. Crippen, 40, Michigan, repairman, Allegan coop; wife Reba B. Crippen, 30, Indiana; daughter Fern E. Crippen, 8, Michigan; daughter Martha A. Crippen, 6, Michigan; son Vernon G. Crippen, 4, Indiana.
  15. Obituary, legacy.com; Martha Ann Willcox, died: 7 September 2022 in Paw Paw, Michigan; born; 22 April 1943 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, siblings, husband, children, and step-children.