David Crabtree

David L. Crabtree, 75, of Linden, Indiana passed away on November 4, 2017, at the IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette following a stroke suffered in October and complications resulting from congestive heart and organ failure. David was born in Crawfordsville on July 17, 1942, to the late Roy and Gladys (Soards) Crabtree. He graduated from Coal Creek Central High School in New Richmond, Indiana in 1960 and immediately embarked upon his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy and spent a year working on a sheep ranch in Colorado with his buddy, Jimmy Hayworth. Upon returning home, he enlisted in the military and graduated from the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois in 1962. David served as a radar operator on the USS Lowe in the South China Seas during the Vietnam War and was released from active duty in 1966 following an eye injury. On September 5, 1967, David married Virginia May (Lane) and the couple made their first home in Linden, later residing in Springhill, Louisiana, Hawkinsville, Georgia and Shafter, California before returning to Linden in 1992. Prior to his retirement, David worked as a long-haul truck driver for over 50 years, having been an independent owner-operator and driving for several major companies including Lone Star Trucking, Cox Petroleum, Dow Chemical, Marten Transport and Waddell Trucking of Clarks Hill, Indiana. Most recently, David enjoyed working with Ceres Solutions Cooperative that supplies and serves the Central Indiana farming and agricultural community. Just short of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, David was predeceased by his beloved wife, Virginia, who died earlier this year. He is survived by his four children: Elizabeth Renee of Barrington, Rhode Island, Stephen (Karin) of Cary, Illinois, Travis of Barrington, Rhode Island and Casey (Heather) of Linden, Indiana. In addition, David is also survived by seven grandchildren: Matthew (Mary Beth), Michelle (Adam), Tessa (Josh), Candyse, Shawn, Aaron, and Savanah, as well as by seven great-grandchildren: Matthew Jr., Logan, Rilee, Zoey, Marie, Bentley and Ryker. David is survived by his three sisters, Rebecca Ann Proctor of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Naomi Jean (Jimmy) Lowther of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and Ruth Whitaker of Lavergne, Tennessee and a large extended family of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Always a cowboy at heart, David was fiercely independent and enjoyed a sense of adventure and wonder of the natural world and was easily pleased by a hearty plate of ham, beans, and cornbread. In his spare time, David could be found working in his gardens, walking his best friend Koji-Lee around the township, enjoying a meal at the Hickory Café in New Richmond or watching vintage television shows, western movies and the Indianapolis Colts win a game every now and then. Funeral services with military honors will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017, at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home at 321 South Street, Linden, Indiana. Visitation begins at noon with remembrance and celebration of life at 1 pm, concluding with private family graveside services at the Linden Cemetery. Those desiring may contribute in memoriam to the Disabled American Veterans (www.DAV.org) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.StJude.org). Please visit www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence or memory. Cards and letters may be mailed to the family at 221 S. Harvey Street, Linden, IN 47955.