Clyde F. “Shorty” Crouch, 71, of Oak Harbor, entered into rest on Oct. 5, 2008, at Careage of Whidbey after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Crouch was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on July 2, 1937, to Fred and Clara (Parks) Crouch. He joined the Ohio National Guard in May 1954, serving until March 1956. He then entered the U.S. Army and served his country from 1956 to 1959.

Shorty met Rosella DeDario and they were married on Oct. 12, 1957, in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The couple resided in Niagara Falls, and Shorty attended Trott Vocational High School to become a journeyman electrician. In 1976, the family moved to Phoenix, Ariz. It was in August 1977 that Shorty surrendered his heart to Christ as Lord and Savior. He and Rosella attended Calvary Chapel while in Phoenix. After 20 years of visiting Whidbey Island, the couple moved to Oak Harbor in June 2003. Since moving to Whidbey, they have been members of Calvary Chapel of Oak Harbor.

Shorty is survived by his wife Rosella; two sons, Paul Crouch and wife Linda of Surprise, Ariz., and Jim Crouch and wife Sandra of Oak Harbor; daughter Lori Duryea and husband Pete of Littleton, Colo.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Br. Juniper Crouch, OFM, Ron Crouch and wife Elsie of East Liverpool, Ohio, and Raymond Crouch and wife Marsha of Toronto, Ohio; two sisters, Rosemary Gibson and Sandy Richardson and husband Harry, all of Toronto, Ohio. Shorty was a loving man, who believed in the importance of being at peace with his fellow man.

A Memorial Celebration will take place at a later date. Family and friends may sign the online guest register by going to www.whidbeymemorial.com. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor.