Dennis Eugene Croxford, 73, formerly of Jersey County, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2024.
He was born in Alton, Illinois on May 23, 1951, the only child of Kenneth M. and Betty L. (Noble) Croxford.
Dennis grew up in Dow, Illinois, where he developed a love for the land and farming, a passion that would shape his life and career.
A proud graduate of Jersey Community High School in 1969, Dennis pursued higher education at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, earning both a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science in Agronomy. His thirst for knowledge led him to further his education at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he earned his MBA.
On August 26, 1972, Dennis married the love of his life, Patricia Crull, at Jerseyville United Methodist Church, and together they have shared in over five decades of love and companionship.
Dennis and Tricia made their home in Jersey County until 1988, raising their family and tending to their farm. Known for his innovative no-till farming techniques, Dennis was recognized as “Farmer of the Year”, a testament to his forward-thinking approach to agriculture. In 1985, Dennis transitioned into a career in accounting, initially with AgroSystems, before relocating to Sikeston, Missouri, in 1988. There, he served as an Account Manager with Lewis Furniture, where he worked faithfully until his retirement in 2019.
Faith was central to Dennis’s life. He was a devoted Sunday School teacher at Jerseyville United Methodist Church and later at Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston, guiding others in the spiritual journey with wisdom and humility. His deep commitment to his family and faith shaped his every action.
After his retirement, Dennis and Tricia moved to Van Buren, Arkansas for a short time, before settling back in O’Fallon, Illinois in 2022. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, spending time in his fruit and vegetable garden, riding his motorcycle, and creating beautiful woodworking pieces, including cherished mementos for his grandchildren.
Dennis found great joy in supporting his grandchildren, never missing a chance to watch them excel in their sporting events, from baseball games to cheerleading competitions. His presence, both as a devoted grandfather and father, was a source of love and inspiration.
Dennis is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia, of O’Fallon, Illinois; a daughter and son in-law, Kim and Richard Bramlett of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; two sons and a daughter in-law, Jason Croxford of Rockford, Illinois and Andy and Lyndsay Croxford of Fairview Heights, Illinois; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Whitney (Brandon) Tanksley and their children, Camdon, Tucker and Aubrey, of Jackson, Missouri, Kevin, Ryan, Dylan and Kathryn Croxford, of Rockford and Lucy, Brenden and Owen Croxford of Fairview Heights; brothers in-law and sisters in-law, Marilyn and Bob Prettyman of Godfrey, Karen Sue and Ken Skipper of Gladewater, Texas, Laverne and Kathy Crull Jr. of Berdan, Richard Crull of Grafton, Betty Nairn-Ward and her husband, Marty, of Jerseyville and Patti Crull of Carrollton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Betty Croxford; his mother in-law, Alice (McGiffen) Crull, his father in-law and step-mother-in-law, Laverne Crull Sr. and Helen Crull; two brothers-in-law, Jerry Nairn and Kenneth Crull; as well as a nephew, Matthew Crull.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 12 p.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Brandon Tanksley will officiate. For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed on the Crawford Funeral Home Facebook page.
Burial will follow at Elsah Cemetery in Elsah, Illinois.
Memorials may be given to Rosedale Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home.
Memories may shared with the family by visitingwww.crawfordfunerals.com
