Ralph Augustus Crabtree, 93, left this earth for his heavenly home on December 21, 2018. Ralph was a native of Monticello, KY, born October 7, 1925 to parents Charlie and Ruby Crabtree.

After accepting Christ as his Savior as a young man, Ralph was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and later, First Baptist Church of Monticello. He was faithful in attendance, taught Sunday school classes and served as deacon at both churches for many decades. He was very knowledgeable of the Bible and a good Christian man of the highest integrity.

Ralph was an excellent woodworker, carpenter, electrician, plumber, harmonica player, gardener, and fix-it man. He enjoyed collecting and restoring antique furniture and other items. He and his wife nearly single-handedly lovingly restored their historic home, Woodbine, on Kendrick Avenue and lived there over thirty years. They then downsized to a home on Lockett Street. No matter the task or project, the end result was of good quality as Ralph strove for perfection in everything he attempted.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Wendell Crabtree. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Mary Lou Roberts Crabtree; his son, Ralph Mitchell Crabtree and his wife Pat; and his daughter, Barbara Louise Crabtree Brown and her husband, Mike. He leaves behind two grandchildren, Beth Purdy-Ortegon and her husband Oswaldo, and Todd Crabtree; as well as 2 great-grandchildren- Colleen Purdi and Oscar Ortegon. Other survivors include nine nieces and nephews and several cousins. Special mention needs to be made of Ralph's wonderful in-home caretakers, Brenda Abbott and Wanda Judy, and the staff of the Clinton County Care & Rehab Center.

Ralph Augustus Crabtree will be forever loved and missed by his family, friends and neighbors. May he enjoy eternal peace in the loving, comforting arms of God.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 22, 2018 between 11 am – 2 pm in the chapel of the funeral home.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 2 pm at the Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Elk Spring Cemetery at a later date for the family only.  Military honors will be performed by our local DAV Chapter 105.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601