Joseph Crawford

JERSEYVILLE-  Joseph Reuben Crawford, 92, died at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.He was born in Burkesville, Kentucky on Jan. 21, 1922, the last of surviving of ten children born to the late William Thomas & Cora (Riddle) Crawford.Joe was the seventh child born into a family of ten.  When he was six years of age, his mother died, and his father was left to raise nine children.  They spent their time in Kentucky working as sharecroppers.He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served his country proudly during World War II on the MV Tampa, SS Westnohno and the SS Young American as a Reg. Navy gunner.After his honorable discharge in 1945, he began working at Baughmann Manufacturing in Jerseyville and later transferred to Olin Matheieson Chemical Corp. in East Alton where he was employed until he retired in 1984.He married the former Helen Louise Ford on Jan. 16, 1943 in St. Charles, Mo., and together their married life spanned 71 years and the blessings of raising two daughters.Surviving are his wife, Helen Crawford of Jerseyville; a daughter & son in law, Jo Ann L. and Gary Johnson of Brighton; a son in law and his wife, David & Sharon Carroll of Jerseyville; five grandchildren & their spouses, Stephanie & Chris Hurt of Cordele, Ga., Stacie & Steven Felice of Huntsville, Al., Sara & David Clare of Alton, Damon & Jill Carroll of Jerseyville, and Julia Carroll of Alton; five great grandchildren, Hannah & David Carroll, Robin Hurt, Jack H. & Lucy A. Clare; many nieces and nephews, and his special neighbors, Rick & Becky.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Jo Carroll on Feb. 13, 1990; five brothers, Leland, John, DeWitt, George & Arthur Crawford; and four sisters, Isabelle, Florence, Laura Mae and Mable.Visitation will be from 10 a.m., Saturday until of funeral services at 1 p.m., at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.  His grandson in law, Rev. Chris Hurt will officiate.Burial will take place at the Rosedale Cemetery with military honors provided by the Tri County Honor Guard.Memorials may be given to the Mississippi Valley Christian School in Alton.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home