William Crookshank

William (Bill) E Crookshank, 88, passed away on April 19, 2015. He was born on October 31, 1926 to Robert Lee and Hazel Lucille Crookshank in Mattoon, IL. He married Martha Jean Ritter on January 4, 1948. They recently celebrated their 67th anniversary. Bill was a veteran of the US Navy where he served in the Pacific on the USS Cape Esperance during WWII. He later earned a degree in engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Bill worked as a tool design engineer for Caterpillar in Decatur and retired after 31 years. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ and was an active volunteer on several ministries. He was a Boy Scout advocate and served in many leadership roles for Troop #132 for over 25 years. He was proud that over 100 young men earned the level of Eagle Scout in Troop 132. He also was a Junior Achievement Advisor, member of Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge #979, American Legion Post #0088, and a life member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He had many hobbies over the years including golf, hunting, coin collecting, woodworking, hiking, camping, and canoeing. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha, and children Brad (Gail) Crookshank of Decatur, Kim Crookshank Early of Indianapolis, IN, and Beth Crookshank of O'Fallon, MO, along with grandchildren Kelsey Crookshank Eshelman (Ryan) of Castle Rock, CO, Kevin (Agnieszka) Crookshank of Bloomington, IL, Ryan Early of Ventura, CA, Max Wooley of O'Fallon, MO, soon-to-arrive great-granddaughter, Ellery Eshelman, sister-in law Regina Crookshank and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Services celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday (04-22-2015) at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home Decatur, IL.. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday (04-21-2015) with Masonic services at 7:00 P.M. by the Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge #979. He will be laid to rest at Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon, IL with Military Rites conducted by the U.S. Navy. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or Boy Scouts of America, Rail Splitter District, Lincoln Trails Council. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hazel Crookshank, and brother Robert Crookshank. "
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