Gwendolyn Crawley

Mrs. Gwendolyn "Gwen" Crawley, 99, of Greencastle, passed away on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 at Asbury Towers.

Born March 24, 1912 in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Van Denman and Eula Mae (Bogle) Thompson. She was a graduate of Greencastle High School and attended DePauw University. On Jan. 30, 1931 she married Evan A. Crawley and he preceded her in death on April 3, 2003.

Mrs. Crawley was an accomplished musician, serving as staff organist for area funeral homes. She also was organist and choir director for the First Christian Church for many years, and filled in from time to time at other local churches. She played popular music both on piano and organ for civic and club gatherings. She gave piano and organ lessons in her home for many decades. She was a member of the Theater Organ Society of Indianapolis.

During the Vietnam War, Mrs. Crawley was the Executive Director of the Putnam County Chapter of the American Red Cross. A member of the Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, she was a leader for the Girl Scout troop sponsored by the church for twelve years in the 1940s and '50s. Active also in other church groups, she served four years as president of the Women's Society of Christian Service.

In 1984, she moved with her husband to Port Charlotte, Fla., where she continued her musical activities. Returning to Greencastle several years later, she took up where she left off, finally retiring a few years ago.

Survivors include her sons, Evan A. Crawley Jr. of Logansport, Richard T. Crawley of Indianapolis and John C. Crawley of Speedway; a brother, Lynnwood Thompson of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Winston Thompson and Van D. Thompson Jr.; sisters, Constance Thompson, Cynthia Bartley, and Patience Berg; two grandchildren, Laura Crawley and Albert Crawley.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Forest Hill Cemetery with interment to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory to the Putnam County Library 103 E. Poplar St. Greencastle, IN, 46135. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.bittlesandhurt.com.