Harold "Fuzz" Wright Crouse

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Harold "Fuzz" Wright Crouse was born April 2, 1924, in North Baltimore to Leo (Edna) Crouse and
Orpha (Wade) Bechtel, who both preceded him in death.
Also preceding him in death were four brothers: Clair, Kelly, John and Ray Crouse; three stepsisters:
Caroline Felkner, Lorelia "Shorty" Crouse and Billie Griffith.
Surviving is a sister, Darlene Hey of Bluffton.
He married June I. Smith June 14, 1947 in Bluffton. She preceded him in death March 27, 2012, just shy of
their 65th Wedding Anniversary.
Together they had four children, Linda (Kevin) Welch of North Baltimore, Steven (Deb) Crouse of Toledo,
Susan Crouse of North Baltimore and David Crouse of Cincinnati. There are six grandchildren, Cathy
(Chris) Raymo, Tara (Greg Tinkler) Smith, Jennifer (Brian) Vanlerberg, Matthew Crouse, Shawn (Sarah)
Welch and Daniel (Brianne) Crouse. There are also 10 great-grandchildren, Joseph, Christopher, Alexis,
Aurora, Zavier, Jesse, Noah, Levi, Maddox and William.
Harold graduated Bluffton High School in 1942 and joined the U.S. Coast Guard that November, serving
throughout WWII earning an honorable discharge April of 1946. He and his daughter, Susan, recently
visited Washington D.C. via Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio. He was very proud of that trip, prompting
many stories of the war.
After marrying June, Harold worked at the DS Brown Co. and was a carpenter for Norris Jones, both in
North Baltimore. In November 1948, he started with the USPS and was the City Carrier around 11 years and
drove the Rural Route 28 years for North Baltimore, retiring from there January 3, 1986.
Woodworking, photography and camping were among Harold’s many interests which had also included coaching
Little League. He served on the NB School Board from 1968-1983, many years as the President.
He and June had the fortune to travel to all 50 U.S. States as well as a tour of Europe.
Harold was a long-time member of St. James United Methodist Church, where he also taught Sunday School
and worked as the custodian. He was also an avid OSU fan and received many compliments on his OSU cane.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2014, at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL
HOME, North Baltimore.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2014, at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, with
Reverend Rick Adams officiating.
Burial will be in New Maplewood Cemetery, North Baltimore, where full military rites will be conducted by
the North Baltimore American Legion Post 539.
Memorials may be made to the St. James United Methodist Church, North Baltimore and/or the charity of
ones choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.coldrencrates.com.
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