DONNA GAIL CRUTCHER

LAMAR- Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, near Neola, for Donna Gail Elvy Crutcher, 80, who died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in Lamar. Larry Wheeler will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Konantz Warden Funeral Home, Lamar.

The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association.

Online condolences can be left at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include a daughter, Afton McGuire and husband Kim, Lockwood; a son, Buster Crutcher and wife Shannon, Springfield; three grandsons, Josiah McGuire and wife Amanda, Lockwood, Kelby McGuire and wife Petra, Carthage and Micah McGuire, Osage Beach; two granddaughters, Sydney Cunningham and husband Drew, Ozark and Hope Park and husband Orey, Ewa Beach, Hawaii; three great-grandsons, Kellen, Grayden and Konner McGuire; one great-granddaughter, Zoey Cunningham and a great-granddaughter arriving in January; two nieces, Rhonda Nelson and Debbie Calahan, both of Greenfield; one brother-in-law, Bob Crutcher and his family of Lamar and one sister-in-law, Linda Spain, Greenfield.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Louis Elvy and her beloved husband of 58 years, Bill.

Mrs. Crutcher was born Dec. 4, 1939, in Springfield, to Louis Vernon and Thelma Martin Elvy. She spent her early years in Peculiar, Tipton and Eldon. While she was still in elementary school the family bought the Neola store and moved to Dade County to be near her mother’s family. She attended school at Greenfield, graduating in 1957.

After graduation she moved to Springfield and worked as an operator for Bell Telephone. While living in Springfield she began a courtship with William L. Crutcher. This love story lasted most of her life. The couple were married on March 15, 1959, at her mother’s home in Neola. They moved to Kansas City where he worked for the railroad and she continued working as a phone operator. They purchased a farm near Arcola that they hoped to make their home. Their daughter was born while they were living in Kansas City.

Following the unexpected death of her husband’s father, the couple decided to move to Arcola and begin farming. They built up a successful dairy that they operated for many years. In addition to maintaining their home, Mrs. Crutcher spent countless hours in the milk barn. Their son was born during this time and they were so happy to have their family complete and living life on the farm.

They left the farm and moved to a small house in Greenfield in 2011 because of failing health. Mrs. Crutcher enjoyed living in town and going to the library. Poor health finally forced them to leave their home and become residents of Truman Healthcare in Lamar.

Mrs. Crutcher was a faithful member of the Arcola Christian Church as long as her health allowed. She was a devoted Bible reader and always firm in her belief.