Craig Larue Vanriper

Craig LaRue VanRiper, 49, of Washington, died Monday, January 7, 2008, as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born November 16, 1958, in Weston, West Virginia, a son of George E. VanRiper, III and Reba Nadine Bennett VanRiper of Washington. Mr. VanRiper attended Trinity Schools and graduated from Washington Christian School. He was a self-employed contractor with VanRiper’s Contracting. Mr. VanRiper was an active member of Abundant Life Baptist Church, where he served as sound director and helped with the youth group. At one time, he had served on the board of Lighthouse Church and been involved with Beam of Hope Ministries and Healing Heart Haven Ministries. Mr. VanRiper traveled with these ministries and served as their sound director. He enjoyed blues music, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and riding motorcycles. On June 12, 1976, he married Melanie Craig, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Celina VanRiper of Denver, Colorado, and Amanda (John) Bland of Eighty-Four; two brothers, Nevin VanRiper and Scot VanRiper, both of Washington; his mother- and father-in law, Shirley and Homer Craig, of Washington; and many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be Friday, January 11th, from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., the hour of service, in Abundant Life Baptist Church, 269 Cameron Road, Washington, with Pastor George A. Garancosky, Jr. officiating.