George Crosby

Oct. 3, 1931-Oct. 9, 2017

George Crosby, 86, of Greensburg passed away on Oct. 9, 2017, at Morning Breeze. He was born on October 3, 1931, in Shelby County, the son of Russell and Eva (Thornburg) Crosby. His parents farmed, and he continued that tradition with his own family. He had two older brothers, James and Noelgene.

George attended Noble Township and graduated in 1949 from Waldron High School. He played basketball and sang in the quartet.

He married Nancy, his high school sweetheart, on March 26, 1950 at the Shelbyville Christian Church. They have four children: Karen Barker, Tom Crosby, Deb Wortman and Don Crosby; 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He began farming after attending the Purdue Farm management short course. He has been a dairy farmer for more than 64 years. He used to fill silos, and sold Brock bins. During his dairy career, he was a member of several milk organizations: Associated Milk Producers, Inc.; Foremost Farms; Milk Promotion Services of Indiana; Shelby County Dairy Farmers Assoc.; Hoosier Milk Board; and the National Bank Board for the Midwest Region.

He was a member of the Burney Volunteer Fire Department. His family was involved in county and state fairs and showed sheep in the open and 4-H shows. He had been an active DeKalb seed dealer for 39 years. He then sold Agri-Tech seeds for six years, and Becks Hybrids for 15 years. His son, Tom, continues to sell Becks. George also served on the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. He was on the Noble Township Trustee Advisory Board.

George and Nancy also opened a vet supply and feed store in Greensburg in 1972. Eventually they offered a delivery service with it. Nancy ran the business, and their son, Don, continues to oversee it. The impact of agriculture was strong in their family because three of their children still farm.

He was a member of the Burney United Methodist Church and attended Union Chapel United Methodist Church in St. Paul. George’s farm more than 800 tillable acres, as well as dairy and feeder cattle located in Decatur and Shelby counties.

Survivors include children, Karen (David) Barker, Tom (Jackie) Crosby, Debbie Wortman and Don (Myra) Crosby; grandchildren, Mike Barker, Matthew Barker, Dana Chandler, Alan Crosby, Cara Chitwood, Chastity Wilke, Brenda Crosby, Laura Crosby, Ryan Crosby and Austin Crosby; great-grandchildren, Hope Barker, Kacey Barker, Brody Barker, Cory Banaschak, Jessica Banaschak, Jack Wilke, Cooper Wilke, Clayton Wilke, Alexander Chandler, Amelia Chandler and Carter Michael Chitwood. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; son-in-law, Jay Wortman; granddaughters, Kimberly Barker and Beth Barker and his brothers James and Noelgene Crosby.

Visitation will be at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Oct. 11 from 4-8 p.m. Services will be Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home. Rev. Dawn Barnes will officiate. Burial will follow at the St. Paul Union Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Decatur County Community Foundation. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com