Mr. Billy “Joe” Crum, 94, of Thorntown, passed away Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 surrounded by his family at Witham Hospital.
Joe was born August 19, 1928 in Thorntown, a son of the late Charles and Irene (Taylor) Crum. He married Linda Stultz, October 1, 1955 in Thorntown.
Joe was a 1947 graduate of Thorntown High School. He was raised on a farm near Thorntown, In.
He was in the Korean War, from 1950-1952. Joe was proud of his military service, for he wore his hat daily. After the war, Joe worked for Rock Island Refinery and in 1960 to 1974, owned and operated Thorntown Sinclair Gas Station. Joe worked at Thorntown High School as well as Western. Boone. He was also a bus driver for both.
Joe enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting in Michigan, wood working, playing golf and traveling for 17 years with Linda to Lake Placid, FL for the winter months. Joe was an avid fan of all Purdue sports.
In 1975 he helped establish the Old Mill Run camp grounds in Thorntown with his best friend, John Barker. He worked many years in construction with Lloyd Stevens, retiring in 1991.
He also held membership at Darlington American Legion for over 50 years. He was a Thorntown volunteer fireman and a former Mason of Thorntown.
Survivors include his children: Jody (Joe) Durham of Lebanon, IN, Lisa (Vince) Bailey of Louisville, KY and Dan Crum of San Diego, CA; grandchildren: Nathan (Jill) Durham of Roscoe, IL, Natalie (Scott) Batts of Lebanon, IN, Nicholas (Laura) Bailey of Indianapolis, In and Austin Bailey of Naples Florida; great grandchildren: Cameron, Evelyn and Addison Durham and Gatlin Batts; brother, Dale (Shirley) Crum, Crawfordsville, Indiana, sisters; Carolyn Gillikin, Linden, Indiana and Judy (Pete) Saunders, Avon, In.
In addition to his wife and parents, Joe is preceded in death by siblings, Hillis Crum, Margaret Watkins, Floyd Crum, Mildred Routh, Tom Crum, Jim Crum, Betty Davis and Bobby Crum and one grandson, Jeremy Durham.
Family and friends will gather for visitation Sunday, June 4th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the service at 3:00 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. Joe will be laid to rest at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Thorntown. You are invited to visit the website www.strawmyerdrury.com where you may sign his online register and leave a personal message.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boone County Senior Services, 515 Crown Pointe Dr., Lebanon, IN 4052 or Boone County 4-H, 1300 E. 100 S., Lebanon, IN 46052.
