Paul Crotchett

Paul Crotchett
Paul T. Crotchett, age 94 of Jerseyville passed away Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Jerseyville Manor. He was born February 5, 1930 the third son of James and Emeline Abbott Crotchett. He was raised on a farm in the Kane vicinity, loved to hunt, and had a passion for harness racing. He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1948.
He married Wanda Faye Watson on April 14, 1951 at the Woodriver Methodist Church. Paul was drafted into the Marine Corps in August of 1951 serving his country at the Naval Station in San Diego, California. Three daughters were born to their union, Diane (Floyd) Alexander of Jerseyville, Carol (Junior) Hardwick of Greenfield, and an infant daughter, Ellen Kaye Crotchett, five grandchildren, Kayla McGuire, Paul, Steven, and Ronnie Costello, Beth Denton, thirteen great grandchildren, two, great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Louis, Delbert and Russell Crotchett.
Upon Paul's discharge in 1953, the couple returned to Illinois and Paul worked for Willie Plato at the Imperial Gas Sation in Jerseyville and later purchased the Conoco Gas Station and Car Wash where he worked for about 3 years until he went work for the Weight Scale in Godfrey. In 1962 he became a Metropolitan Life Insurance Agent.
He worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for many years retiring in 1992 as Agency Manager. He also worked as Vehicle Control Emission Inspector for the Environmental Protective Agency in Madison and St. Clair County.
Paul was very active in the Republican Party of Jersey County serving as County Chairman from 1974-1980, receiving the Outstanding Republican of the year award in 1981 by the Republican Central Committee. In 1980 he was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention. He was a charter member of the Illinois Valley Economic Development Inc. and served on their board for 15 years. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Jerseyville American Legion, and Jersey United Methodist Church. Paul donated many hours in the race track preparedness and maintenance for the Jersey County Fairgrounds Harness Racing Program, working with his brother Russell "Rip" Crotchett who was the race track superintendent. Paul sent many hours preparing the track for the county fair races and also for all the horseman who trained their horses daily. All of his labor was donated as a volunteer who loved harness racing and who loved his community.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Jerseyville United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Kane Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Jerseyville United Methodist Church. Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com