Fred J. Crowther, 88, Sedalia, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa.
He was born May 9, 1915, in Ionia, Iowa, son of Fred J. and Susan Pierce Cook Crowther. In June of 1936, in Marshalltown, Iowa, he married Thelma Stipp, who survives of Marshalltown, Iowa, and in 1969 in Rock Island, Illinois, he married Sarah R. Huffman, who survives of Pahrump, Nevada.
Mr. Crowther was a member of the Sedalia Community Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2591 where he served in various offices throughout the years and has served on the burial detail and color guard. He was also a member of American Legion Post #642, Sedalia, and the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1494. Shortly after his birth, he and his family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he spent the next 60 years working in various factory jobs until 1941, when he started a career on the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad. This career was interrupted for 2 and a half years spent in the Navy aboard a destroyer mine sweeper, DMS-16, from which he was honorably discharged as a ship's cook, First Class. Retiring in 1975, he lived in Canton, Missouri and Marshall, Missouri and later moved to Sedalia, where he had lived for several years.
Survivors include a daughter, Janet S. Crowther Jensen of Marshalltown, Iowa; and two step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Max W. Crowther, Richard H. Crowther and George Crowther
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Heckart/Gillespie Colonial Chapel with Rev. Robert Kessler officiating.
Pallbearers will be members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2591
Burial will be in the Veterans' Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, where Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2591 will conduct full military honors.
The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Heckart/Gillespie Colonial Chapel. Friends may call after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Community Church, to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2591, or to the American Cancer Society.
