James “Fred” Crouse, 85, of Gnadenhutten, died on August 31, in Community Hospice House, New Philadelphia, after an extended illness. Fred was born on March 12, 1930 in Gnadenhutten to the late Norman H. and Sarah L. (Caldwell) Crouse. He graduated from Gnadenhutten High School in 1948, where he played baseball and basketball. Fred entered into the army in 1951, was involved in the Korean War, and played basketball. He worked for Alsco Anaconda as a fork lift operator for forty plus years where he retired. Fred enjoyed woodworking, riding horses, boating and skiing with the neighbors on Tappan Lake, camping at Forest Hills Lake for over forty years, spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids and watching the Indians, Browns, and the Buckeyes.

            Fred married the late Carrie Louise (Hughes) Crouse on June 21, 1953 and spent 58 years married.

            Surviving are three children: Deb (Bob) Putnam, of Gnaden; Denise (Tom) Huebner, of New Philadelphia; Dan (Cathy) Crouse, of Gnaden; four grandchildren: Carrie (Kevin) Edwards, Rob (Heather) Putnam, Brandon (Allison) Putnam, and Harlie Crouse; two step-grandchildren: Misti Huebner, and Don Huebner; five great-grandchildren: Carter and Conner Edwards, Peyton and Ellie Putnam, Whitacre and Maclain Putnam; seven step great-grandchildren: Lexi, Laci, Jena, Eric, Paitra, Chance, and Dakota; brother, Ronald Crouse, of Strasburg; two aunts: Dorothy Parrish and Ethel Norman; and several nieces and nephews.

            Along with his parents and wife, Fred is preceded in death by a daughter, Diana Crouse; three sisters: Jean Enama, Pat Parrish, and Lois Jane Crouse.

            Services for Fred will be held at 11 AM on Friday September 4, 2015 at the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church in Gnadenhutten, with Rev. Gordon Furbay officiating. Burial with a military service will follow in the Gnadenhutten-Clay Union Cemetery. Calling hours, also at the church, will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Memorial contributions may be made to the Moravian Church, or Community Hospice.