J Hall Crone

J Hall Crone of West Lebanon, Indiana, Punta Gorda, Florida, and the past several years, Westminster Village, West Lafayette, Indiana, died August 11, 2011 at Westminster Village, West Lafayette. He was born May 25, 1918 to John B. and Irene (Hall) Crone of West Lebanon, Indiana. Following graduation from West Lebanon High School, J Hall farmed until Dec 8, 1941 when he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, immediately following the attack upon Pearl Harbor. Mr. Crone served in the Pacific, achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was a line chief for the 312th. Bomb Group. On September 3, 1942, he was married to Iva Brown, daughter of Paul W. and Hazel Wilson Brown of Independence. Following World War 2, the couple made their home on the family farm near West Lebanon., until later years when they divided their time between Fort Myers Beach, Florida and the farm. The couple raised three daughters, Nanci (Tony, deceased) Ross, Rising Sun, IN; Julie (Ken) Matthews, Woodland Park Colorado; and Suzanna (Lynn) Senesac, Lafayette, IN. Mrs. Crone preceded him in death in 1987. Mr. Crone was a board member and Deacon of the Federated Church, West Lebanon, served on the School Board, was President of the Judyville PTO and was recognized for his conservation efforts by receipt of the Cal Hampton Award for Conservation. Mr. Crone’s efforts with strip farming and erosion control also were recognized by articles in Successful Farmer and Farm Journal. J Hall valued honesty and integrity. He loved fishing and enjoyed his family and will be greatly missed by them. In 1989 he married Thirza Wilson, who survives. In addition he is survived by grandchildren Anne ( Brian) Skinner, Sanford, Florida; Katherine Matthews (Todd Riddle ) of Denver, Colorado; Jake Alexander (fiancé, Jill Gerwe), Rising Sun, Indiana; Aaron Senesac, West Lebanon, Indiana; Susan (Stephen) Mitchell, Markle, Indiana and Jay Senesac, Lafayette, Indiana; Great Grandchild, Matthew Skinner, Sanford, Florida; a brother, Boyd(Virginia) Crone, Tab, Indiana, and nephews and a nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Iva Crone and sister and brother-in-law, Anna Jean and Park Hunter. Memorials may be made to West Lebanon Trinity Presbyterian Church, Warren County Historical Society or Crestview United Brethern Church, Lafayette, Indiana. Visitation will be at Grady Funeral Home in Williamsport on Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until time of the service at 4:00 p.m.