By Joshua Benton
Blade Staff Writer
Page 17
ARCHBOLD — Walter Crossgrove, a farmer who was proud to send all of his children to college after missing high school himself, died of cancer yesterday at his Schrock Drive home. He was 81.
His parents were farmers in the Archbold area, and his hands were needed on the farm when he was young. He always regretted not being able to attend high school, daughter Norma Reynolds said.
“He always said his children were going to have the opportunities he did not,” she said, and all his children attended college.
Though he had other jobs in construction and on the railroad, his life work was farming, his daughter said. He was always ready to help out those less fortunate than him with the products of his land.
“When anyone had a problem paying bills or was hit by rough times, he’d always help them out,” she said. “He’d give them food or money, but always anonymously.”
From 1969 to 1981, he was the head maintenance man at the Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold.
He met his wife, Lucille, through a social function at a local church. Last year, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille; two brothers, Ralph and Chauncey; three sisters, Cora Crossgrove, Mary Schrock, and Laura Baer; two sons, William and Rodney Crossgrove; two daughters, Juliene Wise and Norma Reynolds; nine grandchil dren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are pending and are being handled by the Short Funeral Home, Archbold. The family requests tributes to Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home or a charity of the donor’s choice.