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Richard L. Crabtree

Richard L. Crabtree, 76, of Grand Island, formerly of Hastings, died Wednesday June 13, 2007 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island.  The Reverend William Pavuk will officiate.  Burial of ashes will be in the Grand Island Cemetery.  The United Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors.

There will be no visitation.  All Faiths Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard was born January 5, 1931 at Hastings, the son of Raymond and Ernestine (Sigel) Crabtree.  He was raised in Hastings graduating from Hastings High School in 1949.  Richard received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Hastings College in 1953 where he served as class president.  He served in the United States Army Counter Intelligence in the Far East from 1954-1955.  He then earned his Master of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska Kearney in 1966.

For twenty-one years (1955-1976) he taught at Hastings Junior High School, serving as the head football and basketball coach from 1956-1967.  From 1977-1991 he taught at the Doniphan Public Schools; serving as faculty chairman and coordinator of district self evaluation.  He initiated District participation in the Close-Up Foundation and attended two Close-Up seminars in Washington D.C.  He also served as assistant football coach for five seasons.

He was united in marriage to Agnes Tweito McMillen on August 8, 1988 in Hastings.

Richard enjoyed Husker Football, golfing, and was an avid reader.  He was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, the American Legion and the Saddle Club.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Agnes, son Stephen Crabtree of Las Vegas, NV, daughter ReNae Crabtree Allen of Overland Park, KS, stepson Drew McMillen of College Station, TX, his mother Ernestine Crabtree of Hastings, brother and sister-in-law John and Judy Crabtree of Grand Island and grandchildren Ashley Gibson, Bif Allen, Stephanie and Chris Doan.

His father and a sister Janet Cushing preceded him in death.

Memorials are suggested either to St. Pauls Lutheran Church or the Lutheran World Relief.