Theodore W. Crawford

(DIAMOND—Theodore W. Crawford, 81, of Diamond, formerly of Westmont, IL, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Morris.
Born July 12, 1937 in Danville, IL, Theodore Wendell was a son of Theodore and Helene (Taylor) Crawford. He was raised and educated in Danville, and at the age of 18 proudly entered the United States Army. Theodore began his basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and completed advanced infantry training in Tacoma, WA, before becoming stationed in Anchorage, AK. It was there that he was a rifleman and ski trooper prior to his honorable discharge on June 30, 1959. Six months after returning home to Danville, Theodore reenlisted with the Army and went on to serve in Chicago until being honorably discharged from Ft. Sheridan in June of 1962.
Theodore worked as a truck driver his entire life, and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 705. He drove for 21 years with Liberty Trucking in Chicago, and then later for ABF Trucking, from where he retired in the late 1990’s.
In addition to being a truck driver, Theodore owned and piloted his own 1946 Taylorcraft airplane, and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Chapter 15. He was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, and belonged to the Wilmington Recreation Club since 1969. It was there where he loved to spend time outdoors fishing and camping with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ellen Crawford (nee Lucas), of Diamond; three children: Theodore J. (Colleen) Crawford and Theresa Crawford, both of Westmont and Mary Ellen (Gregory) Cotten, of Downers Grove; seven grandchildren: Emily (Arnoux) Abraham, of Indonesia; Ted (Stephanie) Crawford, of Lombard; Zachary Crawford, of Lansing, IL; Molly (Jeremy) Riley, of Hebron, IN; Broderick Cotten, of Downers Grove; Brighid (Matthew) Wiese, of Georgetown, IL and Michelle Cotten, of Downers Grove; eight great-grandchildren: Lila, Elena, Jacqueline, T.J., Makenzie, Veronica, Ryker and Alistaire; two sisters, Karen (Waldo) Kamman, of Indianapolis, IN and Charlotte Volkel, of Greenwood, IN; two brothers-in-law, Joseph (Mary Alice) Lucas, of Westmont and James (Sandra) Lucas, of Clarendon Hills; three sisters-in-law: Anne Lucas, of LaGrange; Judith LaCoste, of South Elgin and Laura (John) Klinge, of Woodridge; as well as many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.
Theodore was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Kathleen Crawford in 1974; two brothers, Gene (Carol) Dill and Dr. Charles (Mary Rose) Dill and one brother-in-law, Martin Lucas.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Tuesday June 18, 2019 at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 N. Broadway, one block north of IL Route 113, in Coal City between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m.
Funeral services will follow Wednesday morning, June 19, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 S. Kankakee St. in Coal City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Robert Noesen presiding.
A memorial luncheon in the Assumption Parish Berst Center will be held at the conclusion of the Mass, and burial with military honors will be in Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien following the luncheon.
Pallbearers will be: Theodore J. Crawford, Ted Crawford, Zachary Crawford, Broderick Cotten, Michelle Cotten and Jeremy Riley.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Theodore’s memory to The Assumption Catholic Church Building Fund, 195 S. Kankakee St., Coal City, IL 60416 or to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.
Family and friends may sign the online guest book, upload photographs, or share Theodore’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/notices/Theodore-Crawford
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.