Joel Life Krouse

1925 - 2014

Joel Krouse, 88, passed away Friday, March 21, 2014, at his home. Graveside service: 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with Dr. Mike Deaton and Walt Schlichtlng officiating, under the direction of Hilliard Funeral Home, Van. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Memorials: If desired, memorials may be made to Autumn Wood Hospice, P.O. Box 588, Grand Saline, Texas, 75140; The Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas, 75702; or Van United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1919, Van, Texas, 75790. Joel Life Krouse, a 30-plus-year member of the Methodist Church, was born Aug. 6, 1925, in Minden, La., to the late Frank and Gertrude Langheld Krouse. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and worked as a flight engineer for almost 40 years at American Airlines. Joel moved his family from Hurst to Van where he enjoyed gardening and farming. He was a Christian, blue bird advocate and a Master Mason. Joel Krouse put God first, then his wife and children before himself. Joe was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters. Survivors: His wife, Jody Krouse of Van; children, Marc Krouse and wife, Maryann, of Mansfield, Joel A. Krouse and wife, Vickie, of Van, Heidi Carroll and husband, Ralph, of Grand Saline and Robin Krouse and wife, Wendy, of Arlington; brother, Otto Krouse and wife, Lois, of Minden, La.; grandchildren, Jason Krouse, Andrew Krouse, Emily Krouse, Brandon Krouse, Jessica Carroll, Seth Carroll, Jacob Carroll and Alexis Krouse; and caregivers, Susan Tull and Alaina Brown.