Van D Cruit
(October 14, 1953 – March 25, 2016)
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2016 in Findlay United Methodist Church, Findlay, IL with Pastor Mike Reynolds and Pastor Rena Whitcher officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016 in the church. Burial will be in Findlay Cemetery, Findlay, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the Education Fund for the Grandchildren of Van D. Cruit.
Van was born October 14, 1953, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Paul Bill and Evelyn Doris Waddell Cruit. He graduated from Findlay High School in the class of 1971 and earned an associate’s degree in agriculture from Lake Land College. Van worked as a reporter for the Market News Service with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, where he met many new friends. He was a farmer and raised competitive show sheep. He took pride in starting the 4-H lamb program in Shelby County and was Illinois Sheep Breeder of the Year. He was also a member of the Columbia Association, Corriedale Association and judged sheep throughout the United States, including the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA, North American International Livestock Exposition and several state fairs across the Midwest. He formerly worked for Shelby Electric Cooperative and IBEW Local 146 in Decatur, IL. Van was a member of the Findlay United Methodist Church, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Moose Lodge #1294 of Shelbyville, and was a past member of the Findlay School Board. He married Deborah Elaine Brewer on April 5, 1975.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; sons, Dustin and wife Jenny of Taylorville, IL and Derek and wife Jenny of Mapleton, IL; grandchildren, Reese and Grant Cruit of Mapleton, IL and Dalton and Jade Cruit of Taylorville, IL; father-in-law and mother–in-law, Robert and Darlene Brewer of Bethany, IL; brother-in-law, Mark Brewer and wife Justine of Bethany, IL; sisters-in-law, Linda Brewer of Bozeman, MT, Kathy Smith and husband Bill of Bethany, IL and Peg Wood and husband Norm of Sullivan, IL; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Van was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Sam Brewer.
Van was a man who learned, lived and loved being a “shepherd”, who kept family and friends close to his heart.
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