Charles E. Crutchfield

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Charles E. Crutchfield, age 89, of Trail Creek, died Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at Hamilton Communities, New Carlisle, IN.

Services will be held Wednesday, December 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Carlisle Funeral Home, with Rev. William H. Fine officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service.

Mr. Crutchfield was born December 4, 1919 in Frankfort, IN to Edgar and Lola (Freese) Crutchfield, both of whom preceded him in death. On October 6, 1940, in Michigan City, he married Lucille Eckert. She survives in New Carlisle.

Also surviving are daughter Gail (Arnold) Crutchfield Bos of Trail Creek, son Jeffrey (Nancy) Crutchfield of Odenville AL, grandchildren Kirk and Ryan Bos, Olivia and Julianne Crutchfield, and Zachary Downs, a great grandson Ian Bos, a brother Robert (Vicki) Crutchfield, WA, sisters Delores (George) Games, LaPorte and Elsie McCormick of CO. He was preceded in death by stepbrother Johnny Crutchfield, and brother-in-law Eugene McCormick.

Mr. Crutchfield had been with the South Shore Railroad for (34) years as brakeman, collector, engineer, and dispatcher retiring in 1979. He was a veteran of the US Army Air Corp. serving as a B17 Bomber Pilot-First Lieutenant during WWII, retired as Captain reserve section of the US Air Force. He flew (35) missions over Germany from November 1, 1944, through March 17, 1945. He completed (25) years of honorable service in the armed forces.

As a loving husband and father, he valued time spent with his family. He enjoyed traveling, cruises, music and dancing with his wife of (68) years. He had fun sharing his model railroad with his great grandson, working in his yard and building things was a passion, and enjoyed playing golf. He was a member of the 379th Bomb Group WWII Association. As a member of Michigan City Family Moose Lodge #980, he had served as past governor and on the Ritual Team. He was a member of the VFW.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, for the love of his wife, and Dunebrook parent information center for the love of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.