Fred Cripps, 81, of Murphysboro, passed away at 2:25 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at the DuQuoin Nursing and Rehabilitation at DuQuoin, Illinois. Fred was born on March 21, 1935, in Murphysboro, to Joe Cripps, and Nora (Moutria) Cripps. He had been the Sand Ridge Road Commissioner for twenty years. Fred was a heavy equipment salesman and had worked for E. T. Simmonds Construction. He loved auctions. He enjoyed being at home, but he also loved to travel and had been to Hawaii. Mr. Cripps had attended Mt. Carbon Christian Church in Murphysboro. Fred married Betty Weston on August 15, 1976, and she preceded him in death on September 3, 1997. He is survived by four children Fred L. Cripps, Jr., Regina L. Boros and her husband Tom Boros, all of DeSoto, Edward Eugene Cripps and his wife Patricia Cripps and Teddy Joe Cripps and his wife Tina Cripps, all of Murphysboro; six grandchildren Craig Cripps and his wife Charity Cripps of DeSoto, Matt Shelton and his wife Claire Shelton, Edward Cripps, II (Amy Gahagan), Adam Cripps, all of Murphysboro, Amy (Cripps) Wright and her husband Nathan Wright of Paris, IL, and Andrew Boros (Keri Rushing) of Murphysboro; seven great grandchildren Kaylynn Cripps, Trina Cripps, Harley Thompson, Michele Shelton, Mark Shelton, Mason Shelton, and Gabriel Cripps; one sister Matilda Miller of Belleville, IL; and two nieces. He was preceded in death by one grandson Joshua Wayne Cripps, one brother Victor Cripps, one nephew Ronnie Miller, and his parents. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Rick McNeely officiating and burial at Worthen Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and until 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Southern Illinois Hospice, Inc., or to the donor's choice. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.