Cleo B (Spath) Hippensteel

Cleo B. Hippensteel, 95, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away at Peabody Healthcare Center in North Manchester on July 23, 2021. Born in Huntington County, Indiana on March 2, 1926, Cleo was the daughter of the late Ervin C. and Gladys M. (Baker) Spath.

Two years after graduating from Laketon High School in 1944, Cleo married Donald Guthrie on March 7, 1946. During their nearly twenty-eight years of marriage, they had five children, David, Ronald, Roger, Robert, and Kathleen. The couple enjoyed traveling around the United States on motorcycles together before Donald died on January 13, 1974. Cleo also experienced the unfortunate pain and heartache of losing three sons: Ronald in 1968, Robert in 1997, and Roger in 2013. Knowing the heartbreak of loss all too well, Cleo focused on enjoying life to the fullest.

On January 22, 1982, Cleo found love again when she married Joe Hippensteel. Each brought children into the marriage, and their two families became one. Cleo and Joe enjoyed traveling to various steam engine shows. They treasured their time together until Joe passed away on January 1, 2006.

Cleo sold both Avon and Mary Kay products, which gave her the opportunity to be social, something in which she relished. She also worked at Oppenheim Store in North Manchester and was in the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, where she made many lifelong friends. During her time at Peabody Senior Living, Cleo was an Ambassador for Peabody and attended Chapel. She loved to relax by sewing and quilting.

The loving memory of Cleo B. Hippensteel will be forever cherished by her son, David (Martha) Guthrie, North Manchester, Indiana; daughter, Kathleen Mooney, Vincennes, Indiana; step-sons, David Hippensteel, North Manchester, Indiana and John Hippensteel, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; step-daughters, Diane (Michael) Bever, Forest, Indiana, Jane (Stuart) Sayler, Lakewood, Ohio, and Joan Laudeman, Lakeville, Indiana; twenty-one grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Donald Guthrie and Joe Hippensteel; sons, Ronald, Roger, and Robert Guthrie; and four sisters, Erma Meyer, Edna Taylor, Ruth Shoemaker, and Naomi Scott.

Family and friends may call Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana, with funeral services beginning at the conclusion of calling. Pastor J.P. Freeman will officiate. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Cleo B. Hippensteel, memorial contributions may be made to Peabody Caring Circle, 400 West 7th Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Cleo Hippensteel has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cleo B (Spath) Hippensteel, please visit our floral store.