SPQ2 US NAVY

Ila Mae Tripp of Prescott, passed away March 5, 2012 in Saginaw at 87 years of age.

She is survived by her daughters Nancy (Brian) Bellville and Susan (Robert) Furney. Grandchildren, Dawn, Lori, Andrea, Kevin, Kay, Brad and John. Great-grandchildren, Alisha, Scott, Todd, Jason, Elisebeth, Catherine, Margeret, Henry, Caroline, Hudson, Siena, Jordan, Tylor and Ashley.

Mrs. Tripp was a WWII US Navy Veteran who served in Washington, D.C. She worked in communications decoding and her unit broke the Japanese code. Her unit was the only women's unit to be given the Navy Unit Citation for their work, as it was a combat citation. They also worked with what is now known as the CIA on this mission. She enlisted in October, 1944 and was discharged in April of 1946. She married her husband, Ernest in Hemlock, Michigan on May 5, 1946. They moved from Chicago to Prescott in October of 1952. He died August 19, 1994.

She attended the Juilliard School of Music in Chicago and while there, worked as a receptionist for WGN. They bought the NanSue Farm in Prescott and operated it until 1968. She was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Whittemore, a member of the Prescott Schools PTA, where she was in charge of serving chicken dinners to raise funds for the Prescott Schools. She was also a member of the Band Boosters and the 4-H. Ernest and Ila Mae had a dance band called Melody Four Dance Band, where Ila played the organ and bass. They even traveled to Nashville, where Ernest performed on the Hee Haw Show. Ila and Ernest also orchestrated the minstrel and variety shows in Prescott during the mid to late 50's.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 9, 2012 at the Prescott Chapel of the Buresh Funeral Home, 101 Harrison Street. The family will receive friends Thursday, from 4-9 P.M. Rev. Brenda Klacking officiating. Interment at the Richland Township Cemetery.