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McCrabb, Jim
Jim McCrabb, 73, died Thursday, June 30, 2011, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City following complications of ongoing health issues. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at First Church United in West Liberty. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial: North Prairie Cemetery, West Liberty. Arrangements by Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty.
Jim was born Jan. 13, 1938, in West Chester, Iowa, the son of Donald and Kate (Graf) McCrabb. He attended country school in Keota and graduated from Keota High School. He had served in the Iowa National Guard. In 1957, he was united in marriage to Verena Wyse; they later divorced and he then married Jan Pityer on April 1, 1979, in Mercedes, Texas.
He had started a business in a small garage in Keota before moving to West Liberty in 1964 and opening McCrabb Manufacturing in 1966. He was a phenomenal entrepreneur and businessman and was the holder of many patents. He was an instrument-rated pilot of many different makes and models of airplanes.
He loved Barbershop music and taking his wife, Jan, fishing in Canada. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Lions Club and former member of the West Liberty City Council and West Liberty Fire Department. He also designed the “Key to West Liberty” which for many years was displayed in entrance signs coming into West Liberty. He was a member of First Church United and served on the board.
Survivors include his wife, Jan of West Liberty; children, Debbie (Jerry) Bayers of Selma, Iowa, Sandy Rummells of West Liberty, Dave (Ginger) McCrabb of Topeka, Kan., Carol (Dan) Menke of West Point, Renee Pityer of West Liberty and Todd (Janelle) Pityer of Algona; grandchildren, Chris Bayers, Amber (Brian) Collett, Kelly Bayers, Mary Sue McKillip, Cassie (Aaron) Holladay, Jarod Rummells, Alisha (Brannon) Aldrich, Lezlie Aldrich, Derek Menke, Aaron Menke, Ashlee Menke, Courtney Pityer, Carissa Pityer and Christopher Pityer; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Richard (Sharon) McCrabb of Manchester and Bill (Gail) McCrabb of Washington, Ill.; one sister, Jean (Stan) Hale of West Liberty; and his mother-in-law, Velma Hofmaster of Cedar Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Raymond George McCrabb.
A memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be made to the family at
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