Milton C. Cruver

On 11 July 2004 Milton Cooper Cruver passed away in his sleep to rejoin his family, friends and fellow Marines who have gone before him. Born at home in Portland, Pennsylvania on 13 January 1924 to Leroy Cruver and Elsie Cooper Cruver. He was raised on his family\u0027s farm in Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania with his three brothers, Martin of Mt. Bethel, Victor of Phillipsburg,, Pennsylvania and Terry Lee, recently deceased. Milton\u0027s elder brother Paul passed away at an early age. Baptised into the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stone Church, Pennsylvania, he remained a child of God until his passing. Milton attended school in Portland, Pennsylvania, graduating from Portland High School in 1941. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in August 1942 and fought in the Pacific with both the 1st Marine Division and later the 2nd Marine Air Wing. Following the victory over Japan, Sergeant Cruver was transferred to the Marine occupation forces in Peiping, China where he remained until March 1946. Sergeant Cruver was awarded the Navy Presidential Unit Citation Second Award, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, China Service Medal, American Defence Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Fourth Award, World War II Victory Medal and the Phillipine Liberation Medal. Milton left the active duty Marine Corps and later served with the Army National Guard in Flagtstaff, Arizona. Milton married Muriel Pierce in 1945 and son James Cruver, who passed away in 1951 and daughter Sandra Lee (Troy), currently residing in Indiana were born. Milton and Muriel divorced in 1952 and he and Sophie Ratka Cruver were married the same year. This marriage continues to this date and resulted in the birth of Bonnie Marie Cruver (Holden) of Tenino, Washington and her twin Anita (deceased) and Milton Leroy Cruver of Flagstaff, Arizona. During his life, Milton traveled and held many jobs, mainly in the heavy equipment industry as a welder, primarily with the Frank G. Hough Company in Illinois. After moving to Arizona in 1969 Milton worked at the Baghdad Copper Mines and the Cholla Lake Power Plant until he was disabled by a stroke in 1984. Milton remained active in the community through the Marine Corps League Detachment 912, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7400, the American Legion Post 25 and the Disabled American Veterans Post 23. Milton spent many years as a Boy Scout leader and District Commissioner. He worked tirelessly to help his family and friends. For recreation he and Sophie spent many wonderful days at the VFW bingo hall initially as administrators and later as players. He held several key positions in the veterans organizations including several terms as Commander. Milton is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sophie Cruver of Cottonwood; brothers Martin and Victor of Pennsylvania and children Sandra Lee Troy of Indiana; Bonnie Marie Holden of Tenino, Washington and Milton Leroy Cruver of Flagstaff. Miltons family includes grandchildren Frederick Troy III, Lisa Troy, Charlene Mason, Jennifer Russell, Catherine Holt, Jason Russell, Milton Clinton Cruver, Justin Russell; fifteen great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Milton loved his God and country and his family and will be greatly missed by all. He has left us with untold memories and now has gone off on a new adventure. A memorial service will be on Friday, 16 July at VFW Post 7400 at 705 E. Aspen St., Cottonwood at 1200. A visitation will be held later on Friday from 4 PM to 6 PM at Westcott Funeral Home. The family request that donations be made to the VFW Orphans Fund, one of Milton\u0027s favorite charities.