Steve S. Crittenden

Steve "Doc / Critter" Crittenden, 76, of Dunlap IL, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 28th, at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Born April 3, 1938, in Long Beach, CA, Steve married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Eddy, in Alhambra, CA, on June 30, 1957.

After graduating from Baldwin Park High School, he joined the Navy, serving his country proudly for 20 years as a Medical Corpsman achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Steve served aboard the USS Hornet and entered Viet Nam on three separate occasions, earning his Air Crew Wings while providing direct and indirect medical support to Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), various SEAL Team Units, and other Special Forces Divisions. Also while serving on the USS Hornet, Steve received the White Hat Award for Outstanding Sailor of the year. He then transitioned to the submarine forces and served aboard the USS Jallao and USS Becuna while stationed at the submarine base in Groton, Connecticut. During that tenure, “Doc” was awarded the Southeastern Connecticut Serviceman-of-the-Month Award from the Groton Chamber of Commerce. After retiring from the Navy, he went to work for Caterpillar, achieving numerous supervisory positions before retiring in 2000 after 24 years of dedicated service.

He loved woodworking, fishing, wearing Hawaiian shirts, tinkering in his workshop, and was a faithful Cubs fan. His smile was infectious and he maintained a consistently positive attitude in all endeavors. Everyone he met loved him and become an instant friend. His kindness and sense of humor cannot be matched. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Steve is survived by the love of his life Patricia, daughters Barb (Mike) Massey of Dunlap, Laurie Seidel of Peoria, Steve (Toni) Crittenden of Fairfax, VA., and Kathy (his "Little Roog") Crittenden of Dunlap; Seven grandchildren, Angie Crittenden of CT, Ross Massey of Champaign, Connor Massey of Dunlap, Rachel and Cassie Malone of Peoria, Shelby and Riley Crow of VA and three great-granddaughters; sister Liz Reneau of Rancho Cucamonga CA; brother and sister-in-laws Dave (Paulette) Eddy of East Peoria and Julie (Mark) Bersch of Albuquerque NM; numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved mother-in-law Genevieve Eddy-Elwell of Washington, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jim and Charles, grandson Tony Malone, brother-in-law Roy Eddy, sister-in-law Susie Cree, and his brother-in-law and best friend George Eddy with whom he loved playing a game of cribbage and enjoying a Bud.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home for the love and care given to Dad in his final days.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are by the Davison-Fulton Woolsey Wilton Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to American Disabled Veterans (dav.org/Donate) and Children's Hospital of Illinois (choi.osfhealthcarefoundation.org/give). You may create an online condolence at www.woolsey-wilton.com