Dwight Leland Crum
Dwight Leland Crum
Dwight Leland Crum, 82, of the Sinking Spring community, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
He was born June 6, 1942, in Hillsboro, the son of the late Eugene and Viola (Davidson) Crum.
Dwight loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was an avid genealogy family researcher for over 50 years. He authored and published five books: "Mills of Brush Creek Township," "Military History of Brush Creek Township," "The Anthony Crum Family History, Volumes I and II" and "The Davidsons of Brush Creek Township."
He was known as the Brush Creek Township historian. He loved Highland County, but moved to Kentucky with his job at the University of Kentucky. Upon retirement, he returned to Highland County to his family farm that was established in 1844. Dwight was a 1960 graduate of Sinking Spring High School; received his B.S. from Graceland College and M.S. from Xavier University. He had a long and distinguished career as a Lynchburg and Clermont Northeastern teacher; Highland County Extension 4-H Agent; Ohio Extension District 4-H Specialist. He finished his career at the University of Kentucky as a State Extension 4-H Specialist for over 20 years, creating a state of the art 4-H camping program recognized nationwide and statewide 4-H Shooting Sports with more members enrolled in this project than any other in the state.
Dwight was a member of the Lexington First Church of God. He served his church on the Board of Trustees, Co-Chair Sanctuary Expansion Committee and adult Sunday school class teacher. Upon retirement and returning home to Sinking Spring, Dwight continued his work for the Lord where he became a member of the Sinking Spring Community Church. He served on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees, Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Cellar Dwellers, and young adult Sunday school teacher. He was not only dedicated to his Lord and Savior, but was a true community servant. He obtained a grant to found and organize the Highland County Rescue Squad. He co-chaired with Bob Hodson in 2013 to reorganize and revamp the Highland County Historical Society. He also served on the Southern Ohio Genealogy Society Board, as President and Vice-President numerous times; Highland District Hospital Board of Directors for 20 years; Children's Home Board; Ohio Hunter Education Instruction; Adams County 4-H Shooting Sports leader and Sinking Spring Community Center Board. Dwight was faithful to his Lord and Savior and has received his heavenly reward. His spirit will continue to live on through the lives he touched and the love he shared. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Dwight is survived by his wife, Betty E. (Fleck) Crum; son, Brian (Becki) Crum of Sinking Spring and daughter, Denise (Darren) Dick of Alexandria, Va. He was a proud grandfather to Ty (Regan) Crum, Grant Crum, Mallori (Jason) Johanson, Caroline Dick and Andrew Dick, and he cherished his role as a great-grandfather to Mali, Mati and Milli Johanson, as well as Leland James Crum.
A celebration of Dwight's life will be held at the Sinking Spring Community Church. There will be a public viewing at Sinking Spring Community Church on Friday, March 7 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-11 a.m., leading into the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the church. Pastor Greg Seaman will officiate services with burial to follow in the Old Dutch/Saints Cemetery in Brush Creek Township.
Family requests memorials to the Sinking Spring Community Church, P.O. Box 73, Sinking Spring, Ohio 45172.
To sign Dwight's online guest book, visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.