Bob P. Crouse

Robert Paul Crouse, 88, and a longtime resident of Lebanon, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2016 at his home after a short illness. Bob, as he was known to all friends, was born in Hartford City, Indiana to Erma (Wright) and William Crouse. William Reed Grade School and Hartford City High School provided his formative education. Bob served in the United States Navy for one year, the end of WWII ending his military enlistment. Continued education at Indiana University and then Ball State University, he graduated with a BS degree in Accounting. In 1952, Bob married Marjorie Moon in Hartford City and with both employed in Indianapolis at Detroit Diesel Allison/General Motors and Eli Lily, respectively, took up residence in New Augusta, Indiana. General Motors provided Bob with his first job out of college and he continued to work there in finance for 42 years, retiring in 1992. Bob and Marge moved to Lebanon in the late summer of 1953 after the birth of their first child. First living on the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Camp Streets before moving to the current family home on West Ulen Drive. Bob and Marge were avid travelers. Marge did the planning whether for European excursions or United States travel. There was always a trip in progress or one in the planning stages. They traveled to events like Oberammergau in Germany, but were equally at home at a square dance convention in Louisville. Marge's bucket list was endless. When Marge passed, the children were the blessed recipients of a visit from their Dad, whether to help with his two grandchildren, travel to an exotic location, or just be together as family. A longtime member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, originally in Hartford City, then in Lebanon, he continued his membership as EUB transcended to the Otterbein United Methodist Church on South Lebanon Street. The past ten years he has been a member at Centenary United Methodist Church. Bob was always in touch with God. Serving as a lay minister in the early family days, a tenor in the choir, and a Sunday school teacher, he led his family in faith by example. In addition, Bob belonged to the Masonic Lodge, both of Harford City and Lebanon, and the Eastern Star. The Indianapolis 500 and selling of race day programs, which both Bob and Marge, and most times the children, loved doing together, introduced the children to the value of a dollar while doing a hard day’s work. He enjoyed the Chicago White Sox, and was ever proud of his uncle, Bucky Crouse, catcher in the 1930's. A lifelong bridge player, and the sporadic but ever consistent scoring golfer. Bob is preceded in death by wife, Marjorie, (1986), and son Bryan Charles (1983). Surviving are children; daughter, Deborah (Denny) Valenzano of Chico, California, Robert (Cyndy) Crouse II of Green Valley, Arizona, and Lisa (John) Wiebelhaus of Auburn, California. Along with two grandchildren, Michael and Rachael Wiebelhaus. Brother, Jerry (Ilene) Crouse of Shelbyville and brother in law, John Claytor, of Cicero and best friend, Anne Werry of Lebanon. He is also preceded in death by siblings, Juanita Claytor, Patricia Tison, William Crouse and Joan Cale. Visitation is planned for Monday, March 7, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home in Lebanon, with Rev. Jim Ramsey, officiating. Interment with military rites will follow services at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, Indiana. Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 910 Fordice Road, Lebanon, Indiana 46052 or to the American Lung Association 115 W. Washington Street, Suite #1180-South, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Bob P. Crouse

June 20, 1927 - March 3, 2016