Robert E. "Bob" Crouse

Robert E. “Bob” Crouse, 86, of Rushville, passed away at 2:22 AM, Friday, November 30, 2018, at his home.

He was born on September 30, 1932, in Virginia, Illinois, the son of Ruel and Elizabeth E. (Williams) Crouse.  He married Delores “Dee” Sipes on March 27, 1954, in Rushville and she preceded him in death, on September 2, 2017.

Surviving are four children, Ricky Lee Crouse and wife Linda of Gillette, Wyoming, Robert “Robbie” Crouse of Norris City, Roger Eugene Crouse and wife Shirley of Freeburg, Connie Sommer and husband Marty of Springfield, six grandchildren, Milisa Close, Richard Crouse and wife Lisa, Melinda Leastman and husband Wallace, Robert D. Crouse and wife Nikkilina, Ryan Crouse and wife Moli, and Cody Crouse and wife Brittany, two step grandchildren Travis Ethen and wife Amber, and Ashley Clark, 16 great grandchildren, Jacob , Rebecca and Taylor Close, Abbie, Isabel, Rhett, and Wyatt Crouse, Hadley and Breckyn Leastman, Reagan and Matthew Crouse, Ryleigh Crouse, Syler, Slader, Zoey and Bladen Crouse, four step great grandchildren, Danika Ethen Davin and Drax Aud and Owen Clark, four brothers Kenneth Crouse and wife Maureen of Montgomery, Alabama, Carroll Crouse and wife Joyce of Macomb, Virgil “Ray” Crouse and wife Bev of Arkansas, Ronnie Crouse and wife Nancy of Fairview, two sisters Shirley Thurman and husband Chet of Canton, and Patty Wood of Montgomery, Alabama, sisters-in-law Gwen Root and husband George of Gillespie, and Mary “Boots” Crouse of Ft. Collins, Colorado and brother-in-law Richard Chockley of Rushville and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Vicki Ann Crouse, three brothers William Crouse, James Crouse and Ruel Crouse and one sister Mary Reeder.

Bob served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict where he was awarded two Bronze Stars.  He began his career with Peabody Coal as a drag line operator in 1957 at the Key Mine in Rushville.  In 1966, he transferred to Southern Illinois to work at the Eagle Mine in Shawneetown.  He transferred to Arch Mineral in 1977 and worked at the Captain and Horse Creek Mines, retiring on April 1, 1994.  In 1998, he came out of retirement and worked for Drummond Mines in South America until 2001.

He was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Schuyler American Legion Post #4, where he served on the Honor Guard, Guthrie-Pierce Post #1208 VFW in Beardstown, the United Mine Workers, Marissa Masonic Lodge #9 A.F. & A.M. and the Rushville Lions Club, where was awarded a 50 year pin and the Melvin Jones Award.  He volunteered with the Schuyler County Food Basket.  He loved gardening, yardwork woodworking and loved playing cards.  He was often thought to be blue blooded because he was such a die-hard Dodgers Fan.  His greatest treasure was his family.

Services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with his grandson Robert D. Crouse officiating.  Interment will follow in the Messerer Cemetery near Frederick, with military rites by Schuyler American Legion Post #4 and the US Army Burial Detail.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, December 3, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville, with Masonic Services, following the visitation.  Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the Schuyler County Food Basket.