George Roger Crouse was born March 27, 1940, in South Haven, MI, to George Russell and Evelyn (Myers) Crouse.
He graduated from South Haven High School and married Ruth Elizabeth Thomas on Oct. 25, 1958.
George served in the Michigan State Police from 1963 to 1987. As a trooper, he was assigned to the Reed City, New Buffalo, and Paw Paw Post, building life-long friendships with those he served alongside and earning the respect of the community with his personal integrity, professionalism, and quiet acts of help to those in need. His last assignment was as detective lieutenant and division chief as a state fire marshal. Before joining the MSP, George worked at Sherman’s Dairy, South Haven and at the State Hospital, Kalamazoo.
Raised on a blueberry farm, with his four sisters, Nancy, Carol, Sue and JoAnn, farming was a great joy to him, and he returned to it even before his retirement from the MSP in 1989. George and his business partner, Harold Tubergen, began a blueberry farm from scratch north of Paw Paw. This piece of property became a favorite landing spot for George and Ruth’s children and grandchildren, especially in the summer, and many days of cherished memories were created on the farm. When the season for being an active farmer passed, he and mom transferred those happy gatherings to their house on Lake Brownwood with boat rides, cookouts, and ice fishing.
George was also an avid sportsman, and some of his most told and enjoyed stories regarded the times with friends and family were at the deer camp created by a friendship with Elwood Mitchell in Paris, MI, in 1963 that continues to this day, and fish camp at Saymo Lake, Canada.
George’s love of family does not end with his passing and is carried on through his wife, Ruth. She is lovingly supported by their children, George Reno (Renee) of Illinois, Gail (Goldie) of Colorado, David Rodney (Susan) of Michigan, and Cheryl Gerhardstein of Florida, and especially loved nephew, Jeffery (Jennifer) Crouse of Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Evelyn, and a sister, Nancy. He is survived by his sisters, Carol, Sue and JoAnn and many nieces and nephews. His eight grandchildren also honor his memory including Elizabeth, Eric, Nick and Adam, Brian, Abigail, Chris, and Kat, and 10 great-grandchildren. Family and friends were invited to visit Thursday, Sept. 7, at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, where a funeral service was held with Pastor Devin Schulz officiating. The burial was at Wildey Cemetery, Paw Paw.