First Sergeant Elmer F. Crawford

First Sergeant Elmer F. Crawford, age 69, of Murphysboro, passed away at 5:18 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2007, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro. Elmer was born on January 23, 1937, in Mansfield, Missouri, to Melvin Crawford and Carlene (Miller) Crawford. Mr. Crawford retired from U.S. Army as a First Sergeant on May 31, 1975, after twenty two years of service. During his military career, he received the following commendations. While serving in Vietnam, he received the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service medal, Vietnam Service medal with four bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with palm, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign. During his Army career, he received the Meritorious Service medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation medal with one oak leaf cluster, good conduct medal with five oak leaf clusters, expert with M-14 Rifle, Marksman with .45 pistol, and the Combat Infantryman badge. After his military career, Elmer worked as a Security Officer at SIU-C, then as a coal miner at Burning Start # 5, and he later worked as a heavy equipment operator with Boyd Brothers Sierra Bravo. He had been a member of the United Mine Workers of American and a member of the Operating Engineers Local # 318. He was a life member of the Carroll P. Foster V.F.W. Post # 3455 in Anna, where he had served as a past junior vice commander, a past surgeon, a member of the Ritual Team. He was a life member of the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69, where he served as a sergeant at arms and a member of the American Legion Post # 127 in Murphysboro for thirty nine years. Mr. Crawford was a State Assistant Hospital and VA VS director at the IL Veterans of Foreign Wars and a VA VS for the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna. He loved to play the guitar with his son and friends, and they called this picking' and grinning'. He loved to R-V Camp in his home on wheels. He loved to garden and to grow flowers and vegetables. But he especially loved people and being with his family and friends. He enjoyed life. Elmer married Marilyn Bock on September 1, 1959, in Wentworth, Missouri, and she survives. Other survivors include five children and their spouses Debbie and Terry Endres of Murphysboro, Linda and Rick Hankee of Crestwood, KY, Donna and Howard Bean of Glenrock WY, Michael and Monica Crawford and Franny and Eric Kennedy, all of Murphysboro; five grandchildren Cory Endres, Lance Cpl. Marilyn Onstott, Trey Hankee, John Bean, and Coltin Crawford; one brother and sister in law Cleo Lynn "Pete" and Rayma Crawford, Joplin, MO; four sisters and three brother in laws Melba Thompson of Maryland, Dorothy and Gene Henson of Aurora, MO, Alice and Roy Roach of Duncanville, TX, and Barbara and Gary Hamilton of Springfield, MO; three sister in laws Catherine Maes and her husband Bill Maes of Murphysboro, Jeanne Bock of Simi Valley, CA, and Hazelee Bock of Eldon, MO; and many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. He was preceded in death by one sister Martha Russell and his parents.

First Sergeant Elmer F. Crawford

January 23, 1937 - January 5, 2007