Mike Blackwell
I knew Francis Northrip for many years as a friend and as a pastor. He was one of the finest examples of Christianity I ever knew. To many of us he would identify himself as "Pegleg Pete" when he would call. If you called him he would frequently answer as "cue ball speaking." He had a great, somewhat "sneaky' sense of humor. You could tell when he was about to say something because of the slight grin that would come.
He was a wonderful husband. I saw him take care of his wife and later take care of her while she was in a nursing home. He would go over and stay most of the day with her, feeding her, holding her hand and showing love and concern--even in her latter state of illness.
For the last several years that he was able to regularly attend church we would stop and pick him up (at I-44, exit 140). Almost every week as we headed back he would say, "I'm sure glad you are driving, not me!" I would always answer in agreement "Me, too!" Even today, as I pass that exit on I-44 I honk my horn in remembrance of my good friend. I'll miss him greatly!
Mike Blackwell.
