Donald Blaine Crossland
Donald Blaine Crossland, age 66, of Lemont Furnace, Pa., slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus… Donald Blaine Crossland, age 66, of Lemont Furnace, Pa., slipped peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while in the comfort of his home, with his loving and devoted wife and family at his side on Saturday, August 2, 2008.
“Donnie” was born on September 8, 1941, the Son of Merle B. and Lena Mae Crossland.
Donnie, first and foremost, loved Jesus and lived deeply in his faith.
Donnie, a man of integrity, was a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
In his younger years, Donnie worked side by side with his father, Merle, in the trucking business. He was employed as a truck driver for many years with Supervalu.
In past years, Donnie, as driver and owner of Car 64, enjoyed the love and adventures of car racing with many fellows and friends at his side.
For six years, as Pastor of the Little Tucker Run Church in Dunbar, Pennsylvania, and with his wife, Eleanor, at his side, he brought the Word of God to many.
Donnie was a member of the Cove Run Free Methodist Church and enjoyed teaching and sharing the words from his Bible.
In his retirement years, Donnie was employed by DMC of Mount Braddock, Pa. As owner and driver of “Big Red” and with his wife at his side, they travelled many states, listening to their Gospel Bluegrass music and continued to spread God’s Word to the many people that they encountered.
Donnie was preceded in death by his Granddaughter, Kristie Blaine Lowry, by his Father, Merle B. Crossland, and by a Brother-in-Law, John B. Hanna.
Left to cherish and honor his memory are his Wife of 48 years, Eleanor June Hughes Crossland; his Mother, Lena Mae Crossland; his Children, all of Lemont Furnace: Julie Miller and husband Bob, Mark Crossland and wife Beth, Jim Crossland and wife Roberta, and Lena Collins; and “special” children: Doug Crayton and wife Brenda; his Grandchildren: Ben Miller and wife Mindy, Bobbie Yauger and husband Kenny, Casey Crossland, Mark Crossland, Erin Crossland, James Crossland Jr., Gina Lowry and Julie Lowry, and “special” grandchildren, Jessica Crayton and Doug Crayton; his Great Grandchildren: Felicity Yauger, Robbie Yauger, Kylie Miller, Lori Miller and Misty Miller; his Sisters and Brothers: Judy Hanna, Sherry Bryner and husband Glenn, Susan Staggers, Merle Crossland and wife Debbie, Kent Crossland and wife Garnet, Betty Nicklow and husband Dave, Laureen Livingston and husband Pat, and Becky Jo Wadsworth and husband Ronnie, and a special Brother in Christ, the Rev. Roger Yeager and his wife Nancy and their son Jason; also many Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews; and many, many Friends.
Donnie will be greatly missed and will always be remembered for how he loved his Lord, his Wife and his extensive Family, his beautiful smile, his true friendship, his gracious giving ways in lending his hand to anyone in need and how no one was a stranger to him.
Donnie touched numerous lives in his life time and made each that he touched feel special! We know that his life was a short journey to an everlasting reward, where he will again greet his Family and Friends with open arms, and, as always, love in his heart.
Donnie’s testimony to all and the well-known words that he used with a big smile, while holding his Bible high in the air were:
This Is My Bible
I Am What It Says I Am;
I Can Be What It Says I Can Be;
I Have What It Says I Can Have,
I Boldly Confess, My Mind Is Alert;
My Heart is Receptive.
I Am About To Receive The Incorruptible, Everliving Seed Of The Word Of God;
I Will Never Be The Same!!
Never, Never, Never,
Never Be The Same In Jesus Name!!!
Friends will be received in the BURHANS-CROUSE FUNERAL HOME at 28 Connellsville Street, Dunbar, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m.
Additional visitation will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2008, in COVE RUN FREE METHODIST CHURCH on Yauger Hollow Road, Lemont Furnace, Pa., from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Services will begin at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Roger Yeager officiating.
Interment will follow in Cove Run Cemetery, Yauger Hollow, Lemont Furnace, Pa.