Ed Crow loses battle with cancer
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Edward Crow, 60, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at his residence in Chester.
Ed was the Executive Director of Economic Development for Randolph County Progress Committee, Inc., for 20 years. He graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School, Breese, Illinois. He then received his Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Psychology and his Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from S.I.U. Edwardsville, Illinois. He was a Life Member of S.I.U. Edwardsville Alumni Association, American Legion Post # 487, Chester, St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, Life Member of Randolph County Historical Society, Life Member of Randolph County Genealogical Society, and Life Member of the Popeye Fan Club. He was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
After serving for 18 years as the Economic Development Director for Randolph?County Ed received a special recognition award from the Chester Chamber of Commerce.
"One of Ed Crow's biggest characteristics is his enthusiasm," said the Chamber of Commerce director, who presented the plaque during a dinner held in 2008.
"He constantly works to help improve Randolph County and he consistently works to help people who are already here. Ed has done a lot of work in tourism for our area, and he always preached about what a great place in which Randolph County is to live."
Overcoming his emotions at being thus recognized after working so hard these many years, Ed, who has a reputation in his community for being a talker, said, "I am overwhelmed!"
Ed also put a lot of energy and effort into his county being selected as the home for the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta. Events held there bring thousands of visitors annually, giving quite a boost to the local economy.
He is survived by his wife, Janice, three children - Timothy (Sarah) Crow of Chester, Shawn Crow of Dallas, TX, and Erin Crow & Fiancé Cory Usher of St. Louis, MO;
Memorials may be given to St. Mary Catholic Church, Hospice of Southern Illinois, Randolph County Progress Committee, Inc. Memorial Fund, or to Donor's choice
A full obituary appears on page 6A in this week's edition.