INEZ I. CROUSE
Sept. 28, 1852 - May 13, 1955
Sept. 28, 1852 - May 13, 1955
Mrs. Inez Crouse, Westerville's
Oldest Resident Dies At Age of 102
Mrs. Inex Crouse, Westerville's oldest resident died Sunday morning at the age of 102, in the Mann Nursing Home.
Mrs. Crouse, who was born in Westerville, at birth was such a delicate child she was not expected to live to be 25. She would have been 103 on September 28 should she have lived until that time. She also was the oldest Franklin County resident.
Born in a log cabin, September 28, 1852, on West College Ave., Mrs. Course lived her entire life on that one street except for the past year. On March 31, 1954, after suffering a fall, she decided to leave her big home and its supervision and live in the Mann Nursing Home on West Home Street. Here she was very happy and content. Only last Thursday her son-in-law, Dr. Kilbourne of Dayton, Ohio, and two granddaughters and a grandson, spent the day with her, and according to Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Course remarked it was one of her happiest days. On Friday morning she enjoyed her breakfast and shortly honored by the late Dr. Neeley Boyer, then mayor of the village, thereafter suffered a stroke from which she never regained consciousness.
Mrs. Crouse, will be remembered as one of the most interesting persons in the community, having lived a very full and worthwhile life. She was a graduate of Otterbein College, class of 1872, enrolled at the college 21 years after its founding and has seen every college building constructed including Saum Hall which was built when she was three years old.
Mrs. Crouse likewise had seen every church and schoolhouse in Westerville built, she also recalled sewing uniforms for soldiers for the Civil War.
She was the oldest member of the Westerville Methodist Church having been a member for 86 years. She taught a Sunday School Class and for many years served as primary secretary of the Ohio Sunday School Association.
On her 100th birthday she was with a proclamation, setting aside September 29, 1952 as "Inez Crouse Day." She also was honored at that time by the Historical Society, the churches and the college.
She was the widow of A. G. Crouse, a one time school superintendent, and later a Seagrave Corp. employee, who died in 1938 at the age of 85.
Two daughters and three brothers also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Crouse is survived by her five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a son-in-law, Dr. Kilbourne of Dayton.
Services were held Tuesday morning at 10:30 in her former home at 48 W. College Ave., Rev. Thomas Adshead officiating. Burial was in Otterbein Mausoleum, by the Frank E. Hill funeral home.
Public Opinion - May 19, 1955
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