Harold William Crouch

Harold William Crouch, the son of Frank L. and Nettie E. (French) Crouch, was born on May 10, 1906, in rural Irwin, Iowa. He attended country and Irwin schools. Shortly after he began driving, he bought his first truck and did trucking in the Irwin area. Harold teamed up with his brother, Virgil, who was also a trucker, and formed Crouch Brothers Trucking. Together, they bought the grain elevator in Kirkman, Iowa, and moved it to Irwin. When their partnership ended, Harold continued at the elevator as owner and operator for 30 years, retiring in 1973.

On January 27, 1930, in Harlan, Iowa, Harold married Lucille I. Carter. Three children were born to this union. On October 11, 1959, at the Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, Harold married Clara H. Weems. He and Clara made their home in Irwin.

Harold was a member of the Irwin United Methodist Church in Irwin. He was a member of the Irwin School Board when his daughters were in school. Harold helped plan and develop the Rosman Glendale Golf Course. He liked hunting, woodworking, and bowling. He enjoyed golfing and driving his golf cart. Harold liked to fish, and often took his daughters to fish with him when they were young.

Harold W. Crouch died on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Manilla Manor in Manilla, Iowa, at the age of 98 years, 10 months, and 21 days.

Preceding Harold in death were his parents; his former wife, Lucille Crouch; one son, Harold Crouch, Jr.; two sisters, Mabel Weems and Maude Crouch; three brothers, Ora Crouch, Ivyl Crouch, and Ancel Crouch; one son-in-law, John VonTersch; and one great-granddaughter, Angie Fite. Survivors include his wife, Clara Crouch of Manilla, Iowa; two daughters, Georgene VonTersch of Lakewood, Colorado, and Meredith (Don) Armentrout of Harlan, Iowa; one brother, Virgil (Mildred) Crouch of Irwin, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Bernice Crouch of Irwin, Iowa; four grandchildren, Rod VonTersch, Shari Parker, Dana Armentrout, and Drew Armentrout; five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 4, 2005, at the Irwin United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa, with Rev. Keith Pals and Pastor Ted Sieck officiating. Ruth Ann Barry served as organist, and Bill and Louise Ahrenholtz were the vocalists. Honorary casket bearers were Virgil Crouch and Alvin “Buck” Armentrout. Casket bearers were Rod VonTersch, Randy Parker, Don Armentrout, Zachary Parker, Dana Armentrout, and Drew Armentrout. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.