Christopher Jennings Kenipe, 58, of Franklin, IN passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at The Gathering Together Hospice in Plainfield, IN.

He was born December 31, 1966 in Franklin, IN to Jennings Kenipe Jr. and Carol Lee (Elliott) Jennings.

Christopher was a 1985 graduate of Franklin Community High School and received his B.A. degree from Trine University in manufacturing technology.

He had been a parts return associate for Cummins Service Support Center in Columbus, IN for several years.

Christopher was an avid fisherman, especially loved bowling, and met the love of his life Crystal at Highway Lanes in Franklin, IN in September of 2006.

He loved watching his daughter Abigail dance as family was everything to him.

Christopher was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and a true American Patriot, serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Amity Fire Department.  He loved eagles.

Survivors include his wife Crystal (Hays) Gonzalez of Franklin, IN, his daughter Abigail Gonzalez of Franklin, IN, a sister Wanda Kenipe of Joplin, MO, his aunt Mary Merriman (Clarence-deceased) of Whiteland, IN, an uncle Bob Kenipe (Jeannine-deceased) of Plainfield, IN, father-in-law and mother-in-law Donald and Patricia (Rochester) Hays of Amity, IN, several cousins including Mark Merriman (Angela) of Franklin, IN, Michael A. Merriman (Elizabeth Sims) of Indianapolis, IN, Glenda Tex (Joe Melcher), Kathy Barnes and Barbara Genter (Jeff), nieces Keira Hays, Ireland Hays and Alayna Hays.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jennings Kenipe, Jr. and Carol Lee (Elliott) Jennings, and several aunts and uncles.

Pastor Bill Turner will conduct a service on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 2PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/christopherkenipe.  Friends may call Monday, January 27, 2025 from 11AM until service time at the mortuary.

Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research, 504 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 or at www.lustgarten.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.