10/29/2021
Services for Jim and Loretta (Spaur) Crozier of Chariton, will be Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. A luncheon will be held at the Chariton Christian Church – Disciples of Christ following the service. The interment will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials are requested from the Lucas County Fair Association.
James Eldon Crozier, the son of Russell and Eliza (Graham) Crozier, was born on a farm near Knoxville on April 25, 1938. Jim was the second child and the oldest boy. The family moved to Pleasantville for a short time before coming back to Knoxville where Jim spent his early years creating havoc with his brothers Richard and Dwayne and sister Donna. Jim helped out on the farm and was active in sports (football, basketball, and baseball) and 4-H; where he met the love of his life, Loretta. Jim graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1957.
Loretta Faye was born in Knoxville on December 18, 1938, to Delbert and Mildred (Goemaat) Spaur. Her family lived on various farms around Hamilton, Bussey, and Attica before settling down outside of Knoxville.
Loretta is the oldest of 5 kids and along with her sisters, Dixie, Sherrie, Linda, and brother Kerry helped out on the farm from an early age. Loretta played basketball and softball and was in Y-teens, Thespians, StageCraft, Girls Athletic Association, Library Club, and 4-H.
She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1957 and was valedictorian of her class.
Loretta and Jim were united in marriage on September 14, 1958. Jim and Loretta were blessed to celebrate their 63rd anniversary this year.
Jim worked at the VA in Knoxville; farming and working for the American Breeders Service on the side until the couple moved to Columbia, Iowa to farm full time. With Loretta by his side, Jim farmed and expanded his dairy herd of Guernseys.
In 1968, they purchased their farm “Jimetta Meadows” and moved to Chariton and raised their children, three daughters, and a son. In addition to farming, Jim also held down many other jobs over the years.
He continued to work for ABS, drove a truck for Hy-Vee, worked at Nestaway, and drove a school bus (substituting and taking kids to sporting events).
Loretta was Jim’s partner and worked side by side with Jim on the farm. In addition to raising her family, she also sold Life Insurance for Lucas County Farm Bureau in Chariton, worked as a Kansas City Life Insurance agent, was Church Secretary, worked at the McNay Research Farm, was a Hy-Vee secret shopper, and ended her career in Hy-vee security.
After several lean years in the milking business, Jim and Loretta sold the dairy herd but continued to farm raising beef cows and pigs. If Jim wasn’t farming, Jim was reading one of the numerous agricultural journals he subscribed to.
Jim was a lifetime farmer, buying cattle and staying on top of things even when it became difficult for him to get around and Brian took over the day-to-day running of the farm. He loved going to farm auctions, attending agricultural events, and following football. (He was an avid Hawkeye fan!).
Loretta loved to read and enjoyed growing colorful flowers. She kept busy as a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, and camp counselor.
She took communion at the Nursing Home and made it a point to visit people who weren’t able to get out.
Jim and Loretta were both active members of the Chariton Christian Church and held many positions on the church board. They left a legacy of compassion and faith.
Jim and Loretta enjoyed attending 4-H and sporting events for their children and later grandchildren. Wonderful Grandparents, often had one or more of their grandchildren with them doing “farm stuff”.
Most of the grandkids learned to drive on grandpa Jim’s tractor or in his farm truck.
Loretta loved to entertain the grandchildren by having “horse shows” in the yard complete with trophies. Jim and Loretta were happiest surrounded by family and friends.
They were forever inviting people out to the farm for birthdays, Halloween parties, youth exchanges, summer vacations, and weekend sleepovers with the grandkids.
Both Jim and Loretta loved camping with the family. They would take the kids and grandkids camping at Red Haw, Rathbun, and in later years the Spaur Farm. They enjoyed vacations in Branson, Missouri, and visited family in Arizona and Utah.
Loretta and Jim were rarely apart and partners throughout life. Jim was waiting for Loretta and 2 weeks after Jim went to Heaven they united again on November 12, 2021.
Jim passed away on October 29, 2021. Loretta followed on November 12, 2021. They are preceded in death by Jim’s parents, Russell and Eliza Crozier, Loretta’s parents, Delbert and Mildred Spaur; Jim’s sister Donna; infant sons, Doug and Gary Crozier; great-grandson, Bryten Becker; and brother-in-law, Mike May.
They are survived by their children: Angie (Nick) Mullen of Corning, Lori (Rick) Moorman of Mt. Pleasant, Joy (Chris Shriver) Drake, and Brian (Jennifer) Crozier of Chariton; grandchildren: Cory Dahlstrom, Amanda Dahlstrom, Matt Mullen, Emily Mullen, Clint Mullen, Kayla Moorman, Brandon Moorman, Carter Drake, Leon Drake, Ethan Drake, Owen Drake, Alaina Drake, Bailey Becker, and Kelsey Crozier; 15 great-grandchildren; Jim’s brothers Richard (Barbara) Crozier and Dwayne Crozier; sister of the heart, Margo (Marvin) Klein; Loretta’s sisters Dixie (Joe) Felix, Sherrie May, and Linda (Richard) Bacus; brother Kerry (Pat) Spaur; along with many beloved nephews, nieces, extended family members, and friends.