Born: June 28, 1972

Died: March 18, 2013

David S. “Scott” Crouch, Jr., 40, of Niles, Mich., died at 12:05 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013 at his home unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

He was born on June 18, 1972 in Niles to David Scott and Jerie Lea (Gardner) Crouch, Sr. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1991, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fire science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He has lived in Niles all of his life, and was employed at the Niles City Fire Department.  He also owned and operated the Matthew 4:19 Fishing Guide Service.

Scott was a member of Granger Community Church. He has been a personal trainer at both the Niles YMCA and Niles High School. He helped bring Dragon Boat Racing to Niles, helped build the sand volleyball court on the riverfront, and helped establish the fire department’s little fire truck “Flash”.  He was currently helping plan the Twin Waterfalls and Collection Pool for the Niles riverfront.  In 2010, he responded to a call to the oil pipeline spill on the Kalamazoo River, eventually becoming a team leader on the project, and was featured in an article in the Niles Daily Star.  Through all the excitement and activities, he always looked forward to coming home to his dog, Ellie.

Surviving family includes his parents, David and Jerie Crouch of Niles; his brothers and sisters, Gary (& Cheryl) Crouch of Niles, Barry Crouch of South Bend, Melissa (& David) Schiele and Kristen (& Steven) Marsh, both of Niles; nieces and nephews, Kyle Crouch, Courtney Crouch, Carson Schiele, Sydney Schiele, and Amelia Marsh; a great-nephew, Brennen Crouch; and Scott’s grandfather, Gerald Gardner of Cadillac, Michigan.  Scott was married to Anna Patterson.

The family of Scott Crouch will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with a Firefighter’s Ceremony at 4 p.m. by the Niles City Fire Department.  Committal services will be private on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles with the pastoral staff of Granger Community Church officiating.

Contributions in memory of Scott may be made to the Twin Waterfalls project.

www.halbritterfunerals.com