OBITUARY FROM NW INDIANA TIMES, DECEMBER 23, 2015:
Warren A. Crowder, 81 of Valparaiso, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015. He was born July 4, 1934 in Harriman, TN, the son of Everett and Marietta (Hedgecoth) Crowder. On August 23, 1959, he married Sharon Dalke in Valparaiso. Warren was a US Army Veteran and a teacher and counselor for the Hobart School System. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Indiana Gamma Chapter at Ball State University and Phi Delta Kappa.
Surviving is his wife Sharon, a son Mikal Crowder and a daughter Tiffin Ickow; and three grandchildren: Joplin and April Crowder and Autumn Ickow. He is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Melody Crowder.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Christian Food Pantry, 1507 Glendale, Valparaiso, IN 46383. To sign an online guestbook: www.bartholomew newhard.com.
This information was obtained from: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?pid=176993971.
Fred Higgenbottom (1966)
I remember Mr. Crowder with fondness, admiration and a deep sense of gratitude as the mile posts of life flash in the rearview mirror of my memory. In the winter of my own life I fondly remember him as my Junior High teacher and recall the personal interest he took in me at a time I needed it way back in 1962. During those days I was a shy and introverted Junior High School student. He was “old school” in his methods and a stern disciplinarian but effective as a teacher and he was not afraid to use his homemade paddle whenever students crossed lines of acceptable behavior he’d laid down for his classroom. But those who knew him admired him and won’t soon forget the content of his character or the allure of his deep Southern accent.
Born in the State of Tennessee, I was raised and went to school there until being moved to Hobart, Indiana as a 3rd grader. My father took a teaching position in East Gary. Attending River Forest elementary, then Foreman elementary and Hobart Junior High I was introduced there to Mr. Crowder and took one of his clases as a Junior High student. Mr. Crowder’s accent was funny to many fellow students but it was one I'd become comfortable with and thought that everyone talked that way before leaving the State of Tennessee.
I also remember Mr. Crowder as a follower of Jesus Christ. Not a Bible thumping proselytizer but a quitely principled believer who strove to mirror the characteristics of his Lord. We’re saddened by his death and we struggle with the natural order of life which decrees that all must die. But we also cling stubbornly to the audacious promise of a Galilean preacher who long ago promised we'd all live, laugh and sing again in a place of immeasurable joy and where there's no more death, sorrow or physical pain. Rest in peace Mr. Crowder!