Obituary Notice – Norton F. Crowell

CHERRY CREEK:  Norton Frank Crowell, beloved father, grandpa and great grandpa, peacefully took his last breath on September 1, 2016, in his home on the family farm on Farrington Hollow Road, Cherry Creek, surrounded by his loving family.  He walked through Heaven’s gates and into Eternal Glory at the age of 96 years old, reunited with his wife, Helen, just two days shy of what would have been their 75th wedding anniversary.  They are now together celebrating eternity in Heaven.

He was born on July 7, 1920, in his family home on Cassadaga Road in the Town of Villenova, son of the late Vincent J. and Ruth (Danker) Crowell.  On September 3, 1941, he married Helen Marie Dye, in his sister-in-law’s home on Hooker Road in South Dayton.  They were married for 73 amazing years before she passed away on January 22, 2015.  Their love, devotion and faith in each other and God was a true testament to all those who knew them.

Mr. Crowell was a graduate of the former South Dayton High School, Class of 1936 and Co-owner of Tri-Val Farm, Inc. Cherry Creek.  He was the oldest member of the South Dayton Free Methodist Church, where he was a Trustee for 32 years, Honorary member of Friends Camping Club(formerly Coachmen Vagabond #66), past member of the former Local Agricultural Conservation Committee for 10 years, and former member of the Arkwright Town Board for 12 years.

Mr. Crowell was a patient, kind, gentle and compassionate man.  He was strong, loyal, honest, faithful and most importantly, humble.  He knew the meaning of hard work and the size of his heart and hands showed that he poured his soul into everything he did.  Mr. Crowell was always willing to help others.  Those who knew him were blessed by his stories, his love, his laughter and his prayers.  He was always willing to give the gift of his time, his presence and a listening ear.  Mr. Crowell cherished his family and friends and we were all blessed by his loving, Christian example.  He was wise beyond words and on the day that God called him Home, a walking, talking History book closed its pages forever.  The memories that he shared and that we have of him, are now our greatest inheritance.

Survivors include four loving sons and daughters-in-law, David N. (Kathy) Crowell, of Clymer; Douglas D. (Jan) Crowell, of Cherry Creek; Paul N. (Elaine) Crowell, of Wake Forest, NC; Keith V. (Barb) Crowell, of Cherry Creek, also surviving are his adoring grandchildren, Matthew (T.J.) Crowell, Erica (Matthew) Jenkins, Jennifer (James) Cave, Jory (Laura) Crowell, Amanda (Joseph) Stellrecht, David M. Crumb and Kimberly A. (Joe Marsh) Gens, Julie (David) Morton and Tara (Kevin) Hoitink, nine great grandchildren Morgan McClenny, Brody, Brennan & Bailey Cave, Samuel & Evelyn Crowell, Jackson, Adalyn & Avery Stellrecht, who were all blessed to be able to love and enjoy having their great grandpa in their lives.  Also surviving are several nieces & nephews, many great nieces & nephews as well as countless neighbors and friends who he greatly enjoyed.  Besides his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by three brothers Donald V., Harley C. & Lawrence R. Crowell and two sisters Barbara Ann Morales and Phyllis Paul.

Mr. Crowell was a man of great faith.  He was a living witness and testament of God’s love, and in death, his witness and testament will continue on in the legacy that he leaves behind.  Our loss is Heaven’s forever gain.  His favorite Bible verse, a verse that he held tightly to, was John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  We find great comfort and joy in the fact that even though he is gone from this Earth, our Dad, Gramps, and Great Grandpa is now enjoying life everlasting in a much greater place.  As he walked through the gates of Heaven, we are certain that his Savior and the angels welcomed him Home saying “well done, thy good and faithful servant!”

Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Sunday from 2-6 PM.  Funeral Services will be held Monday morning at 11 o’clock from South Dayton Free Methodist Church, Pine Street, South Dayton, with Pastor Matt Wittenbrook, officiating.  Interment will follow in Villenova Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials may be made to South Dayton Free Methodist Church, 327 Pine Street, South Dayton, NY 14138.  To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.