MORTON - Robert W. Crumrine Sr., 79, of 1201 Linden St., Morton, passed away at 8:53 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded in prayer by his six children.
He was born June 26, 1932, in Flanagan to George and Esther (Augsburger) Crumrine. He married Elizabeth A. "Betsy" Carollo on Aug. 21, 1954, in Newark, N.J. She preceded him in death on Sept. 26, 2003.
He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, George Crumrine; and three sisters, Dorothy Ingram, Ruth Litwiller and Loretta Graffis.
Surviving are one son, Robert (Debby) Crumrine Jr. of Green Valley; five daughters, Paula (Michael) Marine of Zionsville, Ind., Jo Ellen "Bo" (Michael) McLaughlin of Eureka, Gina (Steve) Replogle of Douglasville, Ga., Amy (Michael) Stone of Morton and Valerie (Andrew) Welsh of Morton; 16 grandchildren, Alex "A.J." Marine, Amanda McLaughlin, Nate (Jessica) Marine, Audrey Crumrine, Luke McLaughlin, Allison (Daniel) Wilson, Tyler Replogle, Jacob Stone, Nick Stone, Samantha "Sami" Welsh, Ryan Welsh, Cole Crumrine, Adam Stone and Kayla Welsh; one brother, Eugene "Chink" (Arlene) Crumrine of Washington; and his sister-in-law, Donna Crumrine of Morton.
The family would like to thank Rajean Parrott of Morton, their Dad's special friend and dance partner. She will forever be family.
He was a 1950 graduate of Morton Township High School and attended DeVry Institute in Chicago.
He was a Navy veteran, serving with the Seabees from 1950 to 1954 in the Philippines during the Korean War.
Robert started working for Krantz Electric and later worked at Foster-Jacob Electric. In 1973, he left Foster-Jacob to establish his own business, Morton Automatic Electric Co., and additionally Echo Engraving & Tube Stamping with his wife. He retired in 2002 after 31 years in business.
He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for more than 50 years and taught its apprentice and advanced electricians program. He also was a member of American Legion Post 318 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5921, both of Morton, for more than 25 years.
He attended New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw.
He served as a Cub Scout Master of Pack 82 in Morton for several years. He also served on the Morton Zoning Board of Appeals and was treasurer of the Morton High School Marching Band.
Robert restored a historic 1942 Willys Jeep in which he loved to give his grandchildren rides.
An avid coffee drinker, he was often found at Judy's Restaurant in Morton.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on September 21, 2011
Family links:
Parents:
George W Crumrine (1903 - 1982)
Esther M Augsburger Crumrine (1902 - 1984)
Spouse:
Elizabeth A Carollo Crumrine (1928 - 2003)
