Elwood L Crutcher Obituary (1925 - 2015)

Elwood L. Crutcher, 89, of Shelbyville, IL, formerly of Decatur died Thursday, January 01, 2015 at Hawthorne Inn, Shelbyville. A service to celebrate Elwood's life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 3, 2015) at Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel at 4020 N. Water St. Decatur, IL 62526. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the service time. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur with military rites. Elwood was born in Harristown on October 1, 1925 the middle child of Frank and Bertha (Elliott) Crutcher. He attended Maroa schools. He was a WWII Army Veteran, serving in Italy. He met his future wife, Norma Jean Billings, at Chap's Roller Rink. They were married September 6, 1945. She preceded him on September 23, 1983. He married Delores Gaddis on April 12th 1986 in Shelbyville. Retiring from A.E. Staley, as a pipefitter, with 41 years of service, he and his wife Delores enjoyed spending winters at their Sr. Park home in Orangewood Shadows, Mesa, AZ. He was the pool hall organizer for men's and women's leagues, scorekeeper and "go to" guy for judge's rules for many years with knowledge he gained working at Tozers Pool Hall in his youth. He enjoyed volunteering at Shelby County Community Services, chaperoning DT Clients to Special Olympics, St. Louis ballgames, camping at Lake Shelbyville and their other activities. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan. Elwood was formerly a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, later attending First Baptist Church and Church of Christ in Shelbyville. Surviving is his wife, Delores, son, Jerry Crutcher and daughter Debra K. (Steven) Smith of Decatur, sister Phyllis Crutcher, Forsyth; grandchildren: Stephanie (Marc) Levenson of Glendale Heights, IL, Chad (Stephanie) Crutcher of Waterman, IL, Jason Crutcher of Decatur and Stacy Smith of Decatur, 7 great-grandchildren; his extended family were: Tom (Valerie) Gaddis, Susan Stephens, Terry (Mitzi) Gaddis of Shelbyville and Tim Gaddis, Taylorville; grandchildren: Sara (Seth) Beeler, Mattoon, Lowell Ross Gaddis, Mt. Zion, Aaron Gaddis, Biloxi, MS and Derek Van Winsen and Duran Gaddis, Branson, MO; 6 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, first wife, Norma, brothers: Frank and Don Crutcher, sister: Margaret Kuntz and step-grandson: Ryan Gaddis. Memorial gifts may be made to S.C.C.S. client's activity fund, 1810 W.S. 3rd St. Shelbyville, IL or Macon County Honor Guard. The family would like to thank the staff at Hawthorne Inn for their compassionate care during Elwood's residence there and Harbor Light Hospice for their excellent support. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.