Elizabeth S. Crabb, 86, of Franklin, N.J., died Thursday, Aug.8, 2002, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit of North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 17, at the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, N.J. Inurnment will be at the Deckertown Union Cemetery, Sussex, N.J. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Franklin Historical Society, PO Box 332, Franklin, NJ 07416.

Elizabeth (Bes) was born July 22, 1916, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., the daughter of Nelson Phillips Shelley and Eleanor (Roberts) Shelley.  She graduated from Sussex High School, Sussex, N.J. in 1933, and from Douglass College, New Brunswick, N.J. in 1937 with a B.A. degree in Economics.  Bes married Arthur James Crabb on Oct. 14, 1939 in Sussex, N.J.   She began her teaching career at Sussex High School and continued at Franklin Elementary School where she taught Social Studies and French to fifth and sixth graders for 37 years, retiring in 1979. While teaching, she continued her education, obtaining her Masters degree at Montclair State College, Montclair, N.J. 

She was an avid genealogist and local historian, helping others research their families.  Bes enjoyed extensive traveling with her husband, Jim. 

Elizabeth served on the Sussex County Bicentennial Committee and was a member of the Sussex County Mental Health Board. She was an Elder and served on the Board of Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, N.J., where she was a member for many years. She was a Past Regent of Chinkchewunska Chapter NSDAR, several state DAR committees and assisted in the formation of the Rev. Elias Van Bunschooten Society C.A.R. She belonged to the Jean Calvin Chapter Huguenot Society of Port Charlotte, Fla., the Sussex County Historical Society, and the Minisink Historical Society.  She was past president of the Sussex County Retired Teachers Assoc. and a lifetime member of the NJEA and NEA. Bes was a Past Matron of Northern Chapter #23 O.E.S. and served as District Deputy in 1954.  She enjoyed winters in Port Charlotte, Fla., participating in many activities and organizations.  In March 2002, Bes moved to the Clear Lake area, living at The Willows in Mason City.

Elizabeth is survived by three children, Nelson P. Crabb and his wife, Darlene, Clear Lake, Jane S. Angle and her husband, John, Clear Lake, and Phillip R. Crabb and his wife, Sarah, Franklin, N.J.; six grandchildren, Christina B. Martin and her husband, Christopher, Marion, Iowa; Andrew M. Crabb, Clear Lake, Katrina J. Thedos and her husband, Shawn, Highland Park, Ill., Pauline E. Crabb, Joseph J. Crabb, and Carl P. Crabb, all of Franklin, N.J.; four step-grandchildren, John P. Angle and his wife, Dorene, Boone, Iowa, Allan Angle and his wife, Julie, Clear Lake, Cam Kline, Aurora, Colo., and Lynette Angle-Smith and her husband, Lee, Naperville, Ill.; and one great-grandchild, Andrew J. Martin, Marion, Iowa.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Arthur James Crabb.

Ronald J. Amosson

Ronald J. Amosson, 60, or West Des Moines, Iowa, died Aug. 8, 2002, at St. Mary¹s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 12 at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, Iowa. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery. McLaren¹s Funeral Chapel, West Des Moines, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to Mayo Clinic Congenital Heart Research.

Ron was born in Mason City, Iowa, to Agnes and Glen Amosson. He had lived in West Des Moines for the last 32 years. He had retired in January 2002 from his employment with the State of Iowa as director of local budgets in the Department of Management. Ron was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, was chairman to the Board of Appeals, and served on various church boards. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and he loved to fish and travel.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sue Amosson, West Des Moines; one son, Aaron, of New Haven, Conn.; two brothers, Roger Amosson of Clear Lake, and Bob Amosson of Rockwell; and his mother, Agnes Amosson, Clear Lake.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Amosson.

Titus Barnabas Baxter

Titus Barnabas Baxter, infant son of the Rev. Terry and Debby Baxter, 2395 290th St., Garner, Iowa, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2002 of severe genetic complications caused by Trisomy 13, at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City.  He was born Aug. 18, 2002 in Mason City and then life flighted to the University of Iowa Hospital shortly after birth. 

A funeral service was held Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Wiersbe officiating.  Interment followed at the Ellington Township Cemetery, rural Garner, with the Rev. Terry Baxter and the Rev. Dwight Schmidt officiating.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapels was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Titus Baxter Memorial Fund in care of the Terry and Debby Baxter Family.

Titus is survived by his parents, the Rev. Terry and Debby (Schmidt) Baxter, rural Garner; eight brothers and sisters, Jonathan, Daniel, Bethany, Naomi, Timothy, Hannah, Melody and Rebekah, rural Garner; grandparents, the Rev. Dwight and June Schmidt, Garner, and Richard and Joyce Baxter, Cambridge, Minn.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.