Roy E. Crawford, age 91, of Chillicothe, Ohio (and longtime past resident of the Chicago area), went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, December 11, 2021, after a long illness, surrounded by the love and prayers of family. He was born on December 31, 1929, to Zora and Florence Crawford.
After growing up on a farm in Rockbridge, Ohio, Roy graduated from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) where he met Joaquin L. Friar. They were married on August 16, 1953. Roy continued his training at Asbury Theological Seminary and Northwestern University.
Roy dedicated his life to Christian service, investing his life in the lives of others. In a ministry spanning more than 50 years, Roy served as a United Methodist pastor in Kentucky, a Wesleyan minister in various churches in the Chicagoland area, the District Superintendent of the Northern Illinois District of the Wesleyan Church, a staff chaplain at Hines Department of Veterans’ Affairs Hospital and in myriad volunteer roles. Joaquin served alongside Roy as a loving and supportive pastor’s wife.
Roy and Joaquin shared a common love for music, with Roy directing choir and Joaquin the organist at many of their churches. Roy’s love for music began when joining his three brothers as a vocal quartet that ministered to various churches and on the radio.
A lifetime fan of aviation, Roy aspired to an aeronautics career at a young age. This manifested itself in a hobby of building model airplanes, starting on the farm as a boy and culminating with building a model with his grandson.
He is survived by two daughters, Christine (Thomas) Bumgardner of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Angela (Scott) Killian of Winfield, Illinois; five grandchildren, Bethany, Wesley, January, Amber and Elijah; ten great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold, Clifford and Kenneth Crawford; and by his wife of 59 years, Joaquin Crawford.
A visitation was held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Eastern time) at the Fairview United Methodist Church in Rockbridge (Logan), Ohio, immediately followed by a celebration of life service from 11 a.m. until noon.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gideon Bibles International (www.gideons.org/donate) and STARS (Seeking to Always Reflect the Savior) Family Services in Wheaton (www.starsfamilyservices.org/get-involved).
Arrangements are by Heinlein-Brown Funeral Home in Logan.