Obituary: Stephen L. Crabtree Sr.

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Stephen L. Crabtree, 63, Dolton, formerly of Harrisburg and Muddy, went on to be with the Lord on March 23, 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Georgia (nee Suero); and two children, Stephen Jr. of Ohio and Bethany. He is also survived by a brother, Gary (Debi) Crabtree; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Davila and Stephanie Marsh. He was also uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

He was born in September 1948 and graduated from Harrisburg High School and Southeastern Illinois College. He went on to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to earn his teaching certificate and bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in history during the early 1970s. He worked for the Northwest Indiana Times in Munster, Ind., as a journalist and reporter. He was an avid hobbyist model builder, building the tall ships, as well as World War II airplanes and tanks. He had these on display in libraries and several other places. He was a longtime member of the Lorimer Baptist Church in Dolton.

A memorial service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Road, Homewood.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ingalls Hospice, 1 Ingalls Drive, Harvey, Ill. 60426.