George Wesley Crossan

George Wesley Crossan, 91, died in Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake in the arms of his wife of 46 years, Meribeth (Beth) on Saturday, Oct. 21, of metastatic cancer.  

Born Dec. 11, 1931, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, George moved to Lorain, Ohio, in the 1940s and graduated from Amherst High School in 1949. He served in the Army during the Korean War as a helicopter mechanic and occasionally flew the copters he worked on. He took flying lessons after his discharge but stopped before getting his pilot's license. 

He worked for A&P grocery store as a manager before joining Ford Motor Co. at the Lorain Assembly Plant. He retired as a quality upgrader after 30 years. He was elected as a 2nd Ward Councilman in Sheffield Lake in 1980 and was reelected, serving until moving to Elyria in 1985. His interest in politics never wavered, as he attended Elyria Council meetings for years and was keen on keeping abreast of the affairs of the city.

George and Beth both were divorced and had children. They blended their families after a mutual friend was determined they should meet. They rarely were apart in their 46 years together.

In retirement, he worked gathering statistical information for the Plain Dealer and used that money to travel. Travel was one of his loves and he and the family made many trips to Florida and other parts of the country.  When all of the children were grown, he and Beth started to travel in earnest, visiting China, Ireland, Russia, Korea, Japan, England, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, South America and many other places during a time when international travel was safe and affordable. George loved Alaska and hoped to return in June to experience White Night, when it doesn't get dark. Ever the optimist, George renewed his passport earlier this year. 

George was predeceased by his parents, George W. Crossan and Arabella (nee Collins); a grandson, Josh Saltis; sisters June Crossan, Betty Marks; and brother William​``Billy'' Crossan. 

He is survived by his wife, Beth; sons Scott Crossan, Shawn Crossan and Trevor Horne; daughters Cherylin Post; and Cherie Duda; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and his sister, Fay Bryant.

A dog lover, his four companion dogs from his long life will spend eternity with him.

Friends may call Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 3 pm until 7 pm at the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.  Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 am from the funeral home. Mr. Kevin Brubaker will conduct the funeral service.   Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.  Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to LIFE, a Dementia Friendly Foundation, which helped the family following George's diagnosis of dementia. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 117, Oberlin, Ohio, 44074.

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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