Alfred B. Cromley

Alfred Benjamin Cromley Birth 26 Nov 1895 Culver, Marshall County, Indiana Death 16 Jul 1934 Union twp, Marshall County, Indiana Burial Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana son of Jacob Henry Cromley and Annie Teressa Mahler .

1934 - July 18 - Cromley Member of Fire Company for Past Eight Years

The following obituary of Fire Chief Alfred B. Cromley was read at the funeral services this afternoon:
Alfred B. Cromley paid the price of voluntary service to others shortly after one o'clock, Monday, July 16, while driving the truck of the Culver Fire Department in response to a call.

His death must have been without pain and he passed on with the determination to come to the help of those in need still filling his heart and foremost in his mind.

He was born November 26, 1S95, and died at the age of 38 years.

His birthplace was at the homestead at the south end Lake Maxinkuckee, where his parents still reside.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob H. Cromley.

On November 30, 1916, he was united in marriage to Lulu E. Blanchard, in Culver, to which union a daughter was born, and later a son was adopted to bring the family to a happy group of four.

Mr. Cromley spent all of his life in this community, except for one year at Royal Centre. He returned to Culver in 1925, and in the following year became proprietor of the Culver Transfer Company, in which capacity he was employed at the time of his death.

In 1926 he joined the local volunteer fire department and his years of faithful service were rewarded in January of this year by his election to the office of chief. He had served six yeaTs as assistant chief.

His knowledge of motors, and his experience and ability as a driver made him of especial value to the company.

He was a member of the Grace Reformed Church and the local Knights of Pythias Lodge.

Mr. Cromley leaves to mourn his untimely passing his parents, widow and two children, Helen, age 16, and Merwin, age 8; three sisters, Mrs. Blanche Finney Mrs. Rose Ault, and Mrs. Dorothy Clauson, all of Culver; and one brother, Ira Cromley.

The deep sympathy of the entire community goes out to the grief-stricken family.

Alfred Cromley's last act was an unselfish one. He acted without any idea of reward or of praise, only to protect the lives and interests of others when the occasion called him. Let his supreme sacrifice be an everlasting inspiration to us all.


A copy of a letter to the secretary of the I.R.A. (Indiana Fireman's Association) gives details, of the fuenral:
CULVER FIRE DEPARTMENT ARTHUR M. FISHBURN, CHIEF CULVER, INDIANA
July 20,1934
Mr. B. Marshall Terre Haute, Ind. Secretsry I.F.A.
Dear Sir:

In regards to the death of our Chief, A. B. Cromley, who died in acti0n July 16,1934. He was born November 26,I895 - died July 16,1934. Also you will find enclosed clipping from paper so that it may be published in the Indiana Fireman, all or in part. Will you please see that this reaches the proper chnaels, so that cur Chiefs name may be inncluded in the Memorial Services of the 1934 I.F.A Convention at Fort Wayne.

Our Chief was accorded a Fireman's Funeral. The services were held by State Chaplain, Raymond Coon.

The following towns and cities were represented at the funeral: Knox, 6: Bass Lake, 1: Bremen, 5; South Bend, 13: Plymouth 10. Hamond,2: Logsnspert, 16: Warsaw, 4: Indianapolis, 3: Gary, 1.

The pall berrers were as follows: Culver Department: Edward Beberg, Wsyne Von Ehr, Dave Burns, Howard Percher, Perchia Blanchard, Philip MoClane; Knox Department: Floyd Foust, Joseph Cox.

The loss of our Chief is a severe loss to the Culver Fire Department and comnunity as his congenial nature and friendly disposition made for him a legion of friends. Never shirking from the line of duty amd always ready with a helping hand to others.

The funeral services were held July 15,1934 at the Grace Reform Church of Culver. Burial taking place in the Culver Cemetery.

Culver Fire Department, ____ , Secretary (signed J. A. Taylor)


Other letters found included dated July 21, 1934 were:
Raymond Coon, Gary., Ind. State Chaplin
Dear Sire: We wish to express our thanks to you for your service and the kind expresson of you sympathy of our Chief, Mr. A. B. Cromley.


Chief of Fire Department North Judson, Ind.
Dear Chief and Boys: The Culver FIre Department regrets that your department was not informed of our Chief's funeral in the time for any of you to attend. As this matter was elft in the hands of an outside man to call the departments, but the boys of the CUlver Department know and feel that all of you regret our loss as much as anyone of us, and we are more than regretfull that this mistake was made.


Chief of Bass Lake Department, Bass Lake, Ind.
Dear Sirs: we wish to t hank you and the boys of your department for the kind epression and sympathy shown in the recent loss of out Chief, Mr. A. B. Cromley.

NOTE: Copy to: Knos, Bass Lake, Breman, SOuth Bend, Plymouth, Hammons, Logansport, Warsaw
All were signed Culver Fire Department, --- Secretary


Culver Citizen July, 18, 1934 TRIBUTE FUND FOR FIREMAN'S FAMILY

Culver Citizen, Aug 1, 1034 - Benefit Show for Alfred B. Cromley Family

married Lulu Evalena Blanchard Birth Aug 1 Aug 1895 Death 14 Mar 1976 Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana Burial Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, daughter of Ezra Blanchard and Sarah A Hawk

Children:

Helen Eloise Cromley Birth 3 Mar 1918 Marshall County, Indiana Death 17 Oct 1975 Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana Burial Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana married Max Edward Fechner Jr. Birth 20 Oct 1918 Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Death 21 Nov 2010 Munster, Lake County, Indiana, Burial Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana son of Max Charles Fechner and Agnes Annie Jordan
Helen E. Fechner, age 57, of 147 N. Indiana St. Griffith, passed away, Friday, October 17 1975.

Survivors: hosband, Max; one son: Jim Fechner of North Carolina; three daughters: Mrs. Kenneth (Donna) Reininga of Culver, Ind., Mrs. Wayne (Linda) Ready of Martinsville, Ind. and Mrs. Karen Pierce of Hamond; one brother: Mervi (Jean) Cromley of Martinsville, Mo.; four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday Oct. 21, 9 a.m. at the Kuiper Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Pavy officiating.

Burial Culver Masonic Cemetery.

Friends may call SUnday from 7 to 9 and Monday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 at Kuiper Funeral HOme, 9029 Kleinman (2 blocks south of Ridge Rd.), Highland.

Mrs. Fechner was a member of the 1st United Methodist CHurch of Griffith; Griffith order of the Eastern Star Chapter 583; and A.B.W.A.


Mervyn Robert “Merv” Cromley Birth 3 Aug 1926 Covington, Fountain County, Indiana Death 30 Mar 2005 Burial Memorial Park Cemetery Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, married Jean McLane Cromley Birth 1932 Los Angeles County, California Death 1991 Burial Memorial Park Cemetery Columbia, Boone County, Missouri

Lulu married 2nd 25 Aug 1947 Indiana James Alexander Henderson Birth 11 Oct 1888 Fulton County, Indiana Death 11 Feb 1964 Westville, La Porte County, Indiana Burial Fletchers Lake Presbyterian Cemetery Fletcher, Fulton County, Indiana son of Jessie A. Henderson and Charlotte "Lottie" Hubbard; they divorced sometime before his death.

 
Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1917-2005  
Name	Lulu Cromley
Marriage Age	52
Birth Date	1 Aug 1895
Marriage Date	25 Aug 1947
Marriage Place	Indiana, USA
Spouse	James A Henderson
 
1950 United States Federal Census 
Name	Lulu E Henderson
Age	54
Birth Date	abt 1896
Gender	Female
Race	White
Birth Place	Indiana
Marital Status	Married
Relation to Head of House	Wife
Residence Date	1950
Home in 1950	Aubbeenaubbee, Fulton, Indiana, USA
Street Name	Richard Road
Farm	Yes
Occupation Category	Keeping House
Worked Last Week	No
Seeking Work	No
Employment Status	No
Household members
Name	Age
J A Henderson	62
Lulu E Henderson	54