James "Dave" David Crawfis

James David Crawfis

     OTTAWA – J. David Crawfis, 76, of Ottawa, Ohio passed peacefully  at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, September 10, 2017 at the Meadows of Kalida.

     Dave was born on June 13, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio to R. James and Elizabeth (Pfister) Crawfis (both deceased).  On June 12, 1964 he married Janice (Huff) Crawfis.  Dave and Jan were married for 51 wonderful years until Jan proceeded him in death on April 18, 2016.  He is survived by his two sons, Michael (Kimberly) of Canton, Ohio and Steven (Valerie) of Sammamish, Washington, as well as three grandsons: Nicholas (21), Logan (17), and Liam (10).

     Dave graduated from Ottawa High School and Bowling Green State University.  Dave and Jan met at Bowling Green, and they began their marriage in Lorain, Ohio and in El Paso Texas.  Later, Dave and Jan settled on the family farm southeast of Ottawa, where they lived for over 40 years, until moving into Ottawa 7 years ago.

     After serving in the Army, Dave moved on to a brief teaching career at Ottawa-Glandorf.   His career then evolved to working in the field of chemistry at Campbell Soup Company in Napoleon, and then later at Sylvania/Phillips in Ottawa.  To finish out his career, he returned to teaching, where he worked at Apollo in Lima.   During Dave’s career, Dave and Jan also continued to run the family farm, which was notable for growing Christmas trees that they sold to local residents. 

     Dave was a life-long member of Ottawa Presbyterian Church, where he was active in many different roles, such as Treasurer and Choir Director.  He was also a proud member of the Masons for over 50 years.  Dave had a love of music, and he was not only a member of the church choir, but he was also in a local Barbershop group for over 30 years, most recently called Benchmark.  Dave could play many musical instruments; he most recently learned to play the Autoharp, which he played regularly with the Presbyterian Mountain Strings. 

     Dave will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

     Visitation will be held at Ottawa Presbyterian Church in Ottawa from 3PM to 8PM on September 22  and again on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at church.  There will be a Masonic service at 7PM Friday at the church.  A funeral service will be held at 2PM on September 23, also at Ottawa Presbyterian Church in Ottawa.  Arrangements are under the direction of LOVE FUNERAL HOME in Ottawa.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dave’s memory to the Ottawa Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, Putnam Pet Pals, or Israel Putnam Masonic Lodge #797. 

     Online condolences may be expressed at:  www.lovefuneralhome.com

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