BRIDGTON, MAINE
Herschel Louis Crippen was born June 17, 1940 and died peacefully December 11, 2025 in Bridgton, Maine. He spent most of his life in Columbus, Indiana, last living in Greenwood, Indiana before moving to Maine in 2024.
His parents were Herschel F. Crippen and Irene Q. Crippen of Columbus, Indiana.
Herschel attended schools in Columbus, Indiana and graduated from Columbus High School in 1958. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington, playing for the IU Freshman basketball team. After his first year, he dropped out for a stint in the US Army. In the Army he worked on the Sergeant Missile system and was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which experience caused him to declare he would never return to Oklahoma, a promise he kept. He returned to IU, graduated, and commenced a career in banking in Indianapolis.
In 1965 he married Sara Louise (“Sally”) Abbott, also of Columbus. They had begun dating in high school but both had recollections of one another from Kindergarten. They remained married until her death in 2013. They spent approximately 15 years living in Speedway, Indianapolis, where Herschel worked in banking and Sally taught second grade. They doted on nieces, nephews, and cousins, taking a group of five to Disney World on one occasion.
In 1980, they adopted a son, Timothy B. Crippen, who they raised in Columbus. Together they went on many adventures, to Florida, Canada, amusement parks, the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Houston when Tim attended college, France and Spain when Tim studied abroad, and Seattle and Portland, Oregon when Tim eventually settled, married, and started a family in the Northwest.
In 1986, Herschel took an opportunity to leave banking and buy Hoosier Sporting Goods, an independent sporting goods store in Columbus. He and Sally owned and operated Hoosier until 2002 when they retired. In the meantime, between the store, service to First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, service on the Library Board, and generally being a swell guy, Herschel made many connections in the community. In retirement, he worked at Harrison Lake Country Club and did odd jobs with other friends’ businesses. He also developed an interest in yoga, even beginning the training to be a yoga instructor himself.
After Sally’s passing in 2013, Herschel was re-introduced to, and in 2016 married, Wanda Joann (“Joann”) Wilkerson Crippen. Joann was the younger sister of one of Herschel’s classmates and had recently moved back to Indiana after spending her adult life in New York. Herschel moved to her home in Greenwood and maintained connections with family and friends in Columbus and beyond. Herschel and Joann spent many happy years together, playing games, visiting family and friends (including Joann’s daughters Kara Milair and Kimberly McAnelly), and taking care of their dog Yogi. In 2024 they moved to Maine to be closer to Joann’s daughters Kara and Kimberly, grandsons Justin and Jeremy Milair, and their families. Herschel soon moved into a memory care facility, Woodlands of Bridgton, where he was well cared for by a fun and compassionate staff.
Herschel was loved for being unfailingly polite and joyful. He did even difficult things with a sense of humor and brought joy to those around him. His diagnoses and the effects of vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s, and lung cancer, among others, never caused him anguish or caused him to forget to treat others with kindness and respect. The day before he died, the chaplain at the Woodlands played him the Indiana University fight song and Herschel smiled and sang along.
He is survived by his wife Joann Crippen, his step-daughters Kara Milair and Kimberly McAnelly, his son Tim Crippen (Laura Jordan), and his granddaughters Louisa and June Crippen.
He was pre-deceased by his parents and first wife Sally Crippen.
The memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 4, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, with Pastor Janet Lowery officiating.
The graveside service will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery at 12:30 pm
Herschel will be laid to rest next to his first wife at the Garland Brook Mausoleum.
Military Honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made in Herschel’s honor to; First Presbyterian Church or the Friends of Bartholomew County Public Library.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the Crippen family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
