James Forrest Crabtree

James Forrest Crabtree, 77, of Litchfield, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield at 2:39 pm.  He was born a son of Forrest Eugene and Mary Alice (Christopher) Crabtree on February 22, 1947, in Litchfield.  He married Janice Hughes at St. Timothy Methodist Church in Litchfield, on February 4, 1967. 

In 2006, he retired from the State of Illinois after 28 years of service. James was an avid Cardinals baseball and NASCAR racing fan.  He also enjoyed building model cars, having his breakfast every morning at the local Denny’s and most of all – spending time with his family.  James had also been a member of the Litchfield Lions Club, the Litchfield Moose Lodge #1634, and the Christian Church of Litchfield.

Mr. Crabtree is survived by his wife, Janice Crabtree, 3 daughters, Jeanette (Steve) Luttrell, Jennifer (Terry) Boerckel, and Jamie (Jerry) Jeffers, 2 brothers, Bill Crabtree and Robert (Stephanie) Crabtree, 2 sisters, Connie (Ken) Grogan and Margaret “Maggie” Knutson, along with 12 grandchildren, Kaylee (Brad) Bollmann, Kelsey Crabtree, Stephanie (Wyatt) Reynolds, Dylan (Michelle) Boerckel, Megan (Kiny) Hoisington, Kacie Boerckel, Kyle (Taylor) Jeffers, Kristen (Adam) Jeffers, Larisa Rudolph, Shawnee Boerckel, Elizabeth Luttrell, and Annie Rudolph, & 9 great-grandchildren, Aria, Avery, Paisley, Tyler, Aubrey, Brody, Coulson, Noah, and Teagan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-in-law, Tina Crabtree, and a brother-in-law, Ron Knutson.

Funeral services for James Crabtree will be held at Plummer Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 11:00 am.  Rev. Judy Vidakovich of St. Timothy United Methodist Church will be officiating.  Burial will be at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.  Visitation services will be held at Plummer Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm.  The family suggests any memorials to be directed to The Montgomery County Cancer Association. 

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