Thank you all for visiting my gofundme page for Casey Crabtree. We are trying to raise funds to help with his funeral and burial expenses. Anything you can help out with is greatly appreciated by the family. Thank you in advance for your support through this difficult time. Below is Casey’s obituary

In loving memory of

CASEY CRABTREE

1971 - 2025

LINDEN, IN - Casey Alan Crabtree, age 53, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 30, 2025, with his devoted wife by his side. He was born on June 20, 1971, in Crawfordsville, Indiana to David L. Crabtree and Virginia M. (Lane) Crabtree. Casey married his beloved high school sweetheart, Heather (Williams) Crabtree on March 18, 1992, in Shafter, California. They enjoyed 33 years together, making their first home in the San Joaquin Valley of California before resettling in the heartland of central Indiana, joining multiple generations of the Crabtree family and extended kin.

Casey and Heather shared a love of adventure and the natural world, traveling across the country and throughout North America, frequently visiting national parks and historic sites, camping, fishing, and seeing friends and family along the way. As a long haul over-the-road truck driving team, the couple transported goods for Millcreek Trucking of Michigan, before Casey broke his back in an accident and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a rare and incurable genetic disease that progressively causes spinal fusion, severe pain, and limited mobility.

Despite the debilitating conditions of AS, Casey never gave up or gave in. He worked as a dispatcher, mechanic, HVAC technician, and once owned and operated a mobile hot dog stand, Shwillie Dogs, named after his two four-legged best friends, Shadow and Willie. Having no children of his own, Casey was a favorite uncle to a host of nieces and nephews. He loved jokes and playing games, taking the kids fishing, swimming, and snow-sledding, and for bumpy rides along the country roads and farmlands in the back of his big red pickup truck.

Casey never met a stranger and enjoyed conversing and befriending people wherever he went. He loved animals and they loved him. His four border collies and three cats feel the absence of his adoring affection and devotion.

Casey was a dedicated member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Lafayette, IN, where he participated in the fellowship of Christ and enjoyed a strong community of friends.

May Casey forever rest in peace, walking tall aside his Lord and Savior, free from the pain and trials of earthly life.

Casey was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virginia Crabtree. He is survived by his loving wife, Heather R. Crabtree; siblings, Elizabeth R. Crabtree (Waltham, MA), Stephen D. Crabtree (Ft. Myers Shores, FL), and Travis L. Crabtree (Plainfield, CT); aunt and uncle, Naomi Jean (Crabtree) and Jimmy Lowther (Murfreesboro, TN); aunt, Ruth Crabtree Whitaker (La Vergne,TN), and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family, and close friends.