Gary Edward Crews

Gary Edward Crews, age 78, of Kissimmee, FL, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022 at home. He was born on December 10, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, the son of William Edward Jr. and Fern (Fisher) Crews. They moved to Bradley in 1953 and became members of the Wesleyan United Methodist Church. Gary graduated from Bradley Bourbonnais High School in 1961. Gary is a highly decorated veteran of the United States Army – 1st Calvary in the Vietnam War. During his enlistment as a private first class, he was wounded in action on July 29, 1968 and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in his actions that were witnessed that same day. After he was honorably discharged, Gary attended Kankakee Community College and received his Associate Degree. He went on to work for the State of Illinois in the Department of Corrections for 28 years. From a very early age Gary was an avid reader and loved to go fishing. He was a talented basketball player and scored 56 points in an Armory game. He was a coach for St. Joseph’s grade school and the Y.M.C.A. Gary had a passion, love, and respect for golf like no other; he scored seven hole-in-ones in his lifetime. He also had a love of music. Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison were among his favorites. Gary is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Shelley M. (Oliver) Crews, of Kissimmee, FL; his daughter, Danielle R. (Todd) LaRoche of St. Cloud, FL; his sons, Andrew W.F. (Kristin Ferry) Crews of Plainfield and David M. (Brooke Abney) Crews of Chicago; nine grandsons, Nicholas J. Usewicz, Anthony P. Usewicz, Dylan L. LaRoche, Bryce M. LaRoche, Jude E. Crews, Reid M.Crews, Duke W. Crews, Dane B.Crews, and Vaughn H. G. Crews and one granddaughter, Maclayne L.Crews; a younger brother, Randolph W. “Bucky” Crews and nephew, Logan Crews of Momence; his sister-in-law, Frannie (Mayotte) Crews of Bradley; two nieces, Debi (John) Walsh, of Cabery and Julie (Tom) Kaminke of Longwood; brother-in-law, Mike (Julie Zullo) Crews, of Manteno; numerous nieces and nephews; and several more brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his adored older brother, Stephen “Big Dog” Allen Crews; and his beloved grandmother, “Manicaw” Madge Fisher. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of the 11:00 memorial service on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Inurnment will follow, with full honors, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. A celebration of life will be held that same day at 5:00 p.m. at the Bradley American Legion Post 766. If you have a story to share, please bring it or send it to shelleycrews13@yahoo.com or davidcrews33@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for his grandchildren’s continued education and books.

Gary Edward Crews

December 10, 1943 - January 19, 2022