Carolyn A. Crutcher

Carolyn Alice Crutcher of Tower Hill, IL, passed away at 9:35 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, in her home. She was 93.

Carolyn was born on June 4, 1932, to Orrel Herten and Blondell Williams Herten, at her maternal grandparents’ home in Shelbyville, IL. She was their only child. After her parents’ divorce, her childhood was divided by time spent in Chicago, Shelbyville, and Tower Hill.

Carolyn completed her schooling in Tower Hill and during this time met her future husband who she described as the rock of her life. They were 15 and 17 at the time. She graduated from Tower Hill High School in 1950 as the class Salutatorian. Just a few weeks later she married Ivan Crutcher on June 18, 1950. They were married 75 years. Their daughter Kimberly was born in 1957 and their son Marshall in 1961.

During Ivan’s two years in the Army, including 18 months in Austria, Carolyn rented an apartment in Pana, IL. and began working as a legal secretary for State Representative and Attorney at Law, Carl Preihs. She worked there until 1957 to start their family.

From childhood, Carolyn was a member of the Tower Hill United Methodist Church until its closure in June of 2019, then becoming a member of the Pana First United Methodist Church. Carolyn was an active member of the Tower Hill United Methodist Women providing yearly presentations to the group. For several years, she delivered meals to shut-ins through the Pana Community Hospital Meals on Wheels program.

She loved to garden and spent countless hours maintaining extensive beautiful flower beds throughout the yard. Many friends and family enjoyed receiving flower starts from her through the years. She enjoyed camping when the family was young and often hosted extended family dinners for special occasions. Family was always first. Carolyn was an avid reader of the Bible, history, archaeological finds, current events, and health and nutrition. She was a lifelong learner at heart.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Ivan, her daughter, Kimberly (Jay) McCracken of Ottawa, IL, son Marshall (Sherri) Crutcher of St. Louis, MO, two grandchildren; Megan (Brian) Rolfs of Normal, IL., Grant Crutcher of St. Louis, MO., and two great-grandsons: Gavin and Aiden Rolfs of Normal. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, half sister, Rita Kelley, one sister-in-law, Norma (Crutcher) Huddleston, two brothers-in-law, Ralph Crutcher, Elden “Charlie” Crutcher and very special cousin Donna Sherwood Wylder.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Jessica Baldyga officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Tower Hill Cemetery, Tower Hill, IL. Memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy or Tower Hill First Responders.