Aug. 31, 1944 — Feb. 14, 2016

David Scott Crouch, Sr., 71 of Niles, Michigan died on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness. He was born Aug. 31, 1944, in Niles to Dillard and Deloris (Behm) Crouch.

David was a 1962 graduate of Niles High School and attended Michigan State University, where he earned his Bachelors Degree and two Master Degrees in Education. He played baseball for MSU, and was also drafted by the Minor Leagues. David was a teacher for Niles Community Schools for over 30 years, teaching biology, psychology and anatomy and also coaching high school baseball. He was always reading, studying, learning, and teaching even after he retired. He enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and taking students on the Niobe Environmental Trips to the Quetico region in Canada for weeks at a time. Most importantly, David loved his family, especially his grandbabies.

On Dec. 19, 1970, in Interlochen, Michigan, David married Jerie Lea Burke Gardner, with whom he celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. She survives with their children, Gary (Cris) Crouch of Elkhart, Barry Crouch of South Bend, Melissa (David) Schiele and Kristen (Steven) Marsh, all of Niles; grandchildren, Kyle (fiancée Jessica), Courtney, Carson, Sydney, Amelia, Gabriella, and Elizabeth; great-grandson Brennen and great-grandson Charlie, arriving in May. Also surviving are David’s siblings, Doug (Viola) Crouch of Luneburg, Germany, Dan Crouch of Niles, and Diane (Tom) Blackstone of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his son, David S. “Scott” Crouch, Jr. and a brother, Gregory Dean Crouch.

A Memorial Service for David Scott Crouch, Sr. will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles with the Rev. Jeffrey Whittaker of the church officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Donations in memory of David may be made to the Niles Splash Pad Fund.

www.halbritterfunerals.com