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Warren Crews Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 12, 2017.

NORMAL- Warren S. Crews, 98, of Normal, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday,
April 11, 2017, at his residence.

Warren was born December 6, 1918, in Hallidayboro, IL, the son of Henry and Maggie Manus Crews. He married Roberta H. Mechling on April 24, 1947, in
St. Louis. She preceded him in death on July 16, 1998.

Surviving are their children, Susan (Ron) Pridgeon of Bloomington;
Jim (Kim) Crews of Carmel, IN; Tom Crews of Louisville, KY;
Amy (Lance) Conklin of Normal; six grandchildren, Rachael Pridgeon of
Nashville, TN; Sam Pridgeon of Sacramento, CA; Abby Crews of Brooklyn, NY;
Todd (Nicole) Crews of Brooklyn, NY; Amanda Conklin, McLean Conklin and MacCallan Conklin of Normal; two great-grandchildren, Canaan and Zoe Crews; a brother, Jerry (Janice) Crews of Marion; and a sister, Nancy (Dan) Petry of
Ellisville, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Lester, Robert, Frank, Jean, Charles, Don and Margaret.

Warren was an All-State quarterback at Elkville High School in southern Illinois. He played college football at Southeast Missouri State University as a four-year starter. After graduation, he was in the pre-flight Navy Air Corps and was recruited by the Iowa Seahawks to play with other college and professional football players.
He began his coaching career at Lovington High School where he met Roberta. Warren coached football, baseball, basketball and track. His football teams won four straight years of their conference and had a 23 game winning streak before he moved on to Illinois State Normal University in 1951. He began as a graduate assistant coaching football, basketball and baseball. Warren was the Junior Varsity Basketball Coach for 11 seasons compiling a 119-25 record. The 1959 team made the NAIA College Division final four. He was also an Assistant for baseball, 8 seasons, and Assistant for football, 11 seasons. While coaching, he received his Master's degree from University of Illinois.
Between 1962- 1975, he was an Assistant Basketball Coach along the side of
James Collie, Will Robinson, and Gene Smithson. He coached the 1968 team, which was one of the best and he also coached Doug Collins from 1969-1973. Warren also designed ISU's famous candy-striped basketball shorts.

As he coached, he was able to watch all the games possible of son, Jim, playing at
University High School, and Tom, at Normal Community. While Jim went on to play basketball at Indiana University, 1972-1976, Warren continued to coach until 1975, teach until 1985 and became an Assistant Athletic Director in 1975- 1982. As ISU was the host to the IHSA all class Football State Championship, he organized the event for several years. During the summer, he managed the Municipal Baseball League in the Twin Cities. In 1983, he was inducted into the Illinois State University Athletic Hall of Fame as a Coach. In 2001, he was inducted with the 1967-68 basketball team.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Normal where in sang in the choir and played the piano for his Yokefellow's Sunday School class for several years. He also enjoyed playing Bridge, golf, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.
Most of all, he loved talking about the game with his two basketball coaching sons and watching every game possible of his grandchildren's.

A celebration of life service will be held at noon, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at
East Lawn Funeral Home. A committal service will be held after the celebration at the mausoleum chapel at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. There will be an informal Gathering with h'orderves, following the services, approximately 1:45, back at the Funeral Home for those who would like to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Normal or Illinois State University Athletics. Online condolences may be shared with the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

December 19, 2017

Kathy Zeidenstein

I just learned of Mr. Crews' passing recently. I learned so much about him from his obituary that I didn't know, growing up across the street from him. His older daughter babysat us, and I babysat and was friends with the youngest, Amy. Such a great family to grow up with. Thinking of the whole family from here in California. My love to you all.

April 30, 2017

Mel Roustio

The Warren & Roberta Crews at 811 Hester Normal, Illinois was my home from the fall of 1957-to-the-spring of 1960. I was one of six ISU athletes that lived upstairs at th Crews home. I knew the Crews children when they were very young and followed the coaching careers of Jim and Tom.

Warren was a dependable mentor assisting a first year college student-athlete's assimilation. I was coached by Warren in both basketball and baseball.

I wish Warren and Roberta's children to know that I shall always hold fond memories of their parents. May they rest in God's eternal comfort.

April 18, 2017

Pete Evans

whether it was playing basketball in the Crews driveway or shooting pool in the basement. Mr. Crews would watch and only occasionally make a suggestion. I soon found out it was best to take that suggestion.
My thoughts are with the entire family.

April 18, 2017

Matt Adams

My condolences, I am sorry that I cannot be there for Warren's service. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
-Matt Adams

April 18, 2017

Joel Oberman

I first met Warren in 1965 when I played American Legion Baseball with his son Jim for Wolf's Cleaners. Since then, Warren was always a tremendous and lifelong supporter of myself and all U-High / ISU athletes. His ISU Hall of Fame Induction is richly deserved. It has been an honor and privilege to have known Warren, Roberta and their wonderful children and family. While losing loved ones is hard, we should all hope to live such a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Our sincere sympathy and condolences to the entire Crews family.
Go Cards !!
The Oberman Family

April 16, 2017

Art Rodriguez

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 16, 2017

Rich Lee

I attended ISU when the enrollment was such that the coaches actually knew the athletes regardless of the sport. Coach Crews was one of my favorites and he always had a smile and a kind word. Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to have a chance meeting with him in Cumming, Georgia. I think one of his children lived there, and it was such a pleasant surprise and joy to visit with him. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, and I am sure they rejoice in a life well lived.

April 16, 2017

Bill Pence

So very sorry to hear of the loss of Warren. Tom and I were good friends at NCHS and ISU. I enjoyed playing many rounds of golf with Warren at the ISU golf course. Thinking of the family at this time. Blessings.

April 13, 2017

Tom McAdam

Very sorry to hear about Warren. He was one of the first people that my Dad got to know when our family arrived in Normal, as a coworker at ISU.

April 13, 2017

roger mason

The thing I have taken from the life of Mr.Crews though I did not know him well was his incredible love he had for his family.It was very evident the kind of influence he had on his children seeing and experiencing the kind of life his son Jim Crews lives.The life Mr.Crews lived went along way in defining and designing the life of my friend and his son Jim. Mr.Crews not only left his family and friends with sweet memories he more importantly left all who knew him a Legacy that I see lived out each and every time I see or talk with Jim.We are praying for Comfort Strength and Grace for the Crews family as you walk through this time together.Know you are loved and you are covered in prayer! RMason

April 13, 2017

Friend

Rusty DePew

Warren was a wonderful guy! I first remember going to ISU basketball games as young child with Tom. Warren would let us run around Horton Field house before the games and when he found us before the game started, we had always done something which he had heard about. He really wasn't that tough of a guy, but he had a great bark. I hope to live as long and have a healthy life like he had.

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