James Evert "Codge" Crabtree, 83, Cropsey died at 9:35 pm Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at his residence in Cropsey.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the United Methodist Church, Cropsey with Pastor Paulette Cott officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. The family suggests memorials be given to the OSF Hospice's eastern region or the United Methodist Church, Cropsey.

Evert was born April 14, 1928 in Summer Shade, KY the son of Lennie and Beulah Hood Crabtree. He married Tina Perkins on February 12, 1949 in Tompkinsville, KY. She survives in Cropsey, IL.

Also surviving are four daughters; Diane (David) Graves, Arcadia, FL, Debra Foulks, Onarga, IL, Denise (Lonnie) Hish, Lakewood, CO, Donna (Michael) Comens, Pontiac, IL; four sisters, one brother, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by an infant son, James Dennis Crabtree, a grandson, Jack D. Pomon, four brothers and three sisters.

Evert had owned and operated Crabtree Service Station, Cropsey for 47 years and had farmed in the Down's and Bloomington area. He served as the Cropsey Township road commissioner for 12 years and was a member of the Cropsey Sportsman's Club. He will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, bluegrass music and front porch sittin'.