Memorials

Clyde E. Crutchfield, 85, of Columbia City, died at his home on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
He was born August 24, 1923, in Knott County, Kentucky, a son of Wendell S. and Della (Hatmaker) Crutchfield. His formative years were spent in the Kentucky area.
In 1950, he was united in marriage to Billee Jean “Mick” Johnson. They resided in Kentucky.
He began work as a coalminer with Blue Diamond Mines in Leatherwood, Kentucky. He worked there for 22 years when the mine closed in 1965. The family then moved to Columbia City. He was employed by Plastic Composites, Fort Wayne, making the fiberglass buckets for utility boom trucks. He retired in 1985 and turned his talents to purchasing and renovating houses in the Columbia City area.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, Billee Jean “Mick”, he is survived by a daughter, Karen (Dan) Willis of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two sons Clyde (Sue) Crutchfield Jr. and Howard (Sally) Crutchfield both of Columbia City; grandchildren Julie (Donald) Sparks, Columbia City, Tim (Amanda) Crutchfield, Columbia City, Melanie (Dr. Daniel) Nolan, Fort Wayne, Denise (Stephan) Ibanez, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Deana (Dr. Phil) Haines, Grand Rapids; 8 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Beulah McIntosh, Ada Staire and Louise (Kermit) Byrd all of Lake City; Tennessee, and special caregiver, Paula Nagel of St. Marys, Ohio.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Lorena Amburgey.
The funeral service was held Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Pastor Brandon Holler of The Chapel, Fort Wayne officiating. The burial was in South Park Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.