Jean I. (Evans) Crossland

Jean I. (Evans) Crossland, 88, of 2886 Johnson Mill Rd., Lewisburg, died Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Lewisburg.

She was born April 25, 1927 in Mahanoy City, the daughter of the late Joseph E. and Irene M. (Price) Evans.  On June 12, 1948, she married Richard I. “Dick” Crossland, Sr., who survives. Together they celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Jean was a 1944 graduate of Mahanoy City High School where she was active in sports and many activities.  Shortly after graduation, she made the decision to become a registered nurse and applied for the U.S. Army Nurse’s cadet program, in which she was accepted, and so began her training at the former Blockley School of Nursing at Philadelphia General Hospital.  She graduated in 1948 earning her degree as a registered Nurse, but with World War II ending, she would never use her nursing skills in the Army.

While attending a Halloween party a few months prior to receiving her nursing degree, Jean met her husband, Dick over a game of “matching shoes”.  Dick was part of the invited guests to the party from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.  They ended up getting acquainted very quickly and fell in love.  They became engaged later that year and married at the Primitive Methodist Church in Mahanoy City by Rev. Fred Crossland, father of Dick, and Rev. Charles Pellows, pastor of the church.

After his ordination, Dick started his ministry as a Board Missionary and Developer with the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church.  This is where Dick and Jean started their true life partnership in forming new Lutheran churches across the country.  Jean was an integral part of church development as she conducted children’s choirs and led youth groups.  Jean continued her nursing career and raising her family as they travelled from community to community.  Their ministry took them all over the country, including: Brooklyn, NY, Schenectady, NY, Norwalk, CT, Saugerties, NY, Seattle, WA and Dallas, TX.

Dick left full time ministry, and with Jean by his side, they started The Crossland Group, a financial planning service organization aimed at serving the clergy.  For many years, The Crossland Group was headquartered in Flemington, NJ, where Jean was extremely active in the women’s chorus, civic club, women’s club, and played tennis regularly.

For the last 30 years, Jean called Lewisburg “home.”  Here, she enjoyed playing in the Bridgathon tournament held by the Public Library for Union County, and was especially fond of the many afternoons spent playing Bridge with her dear friends “The Four Aces.”

Jean had a lifelong passion for reading, travelling, painting, gardening, and playing piano.  Most of all, Jean cherished her family and loved being a grandmother.

Surviving in addition to her husband are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Richard I. Crossland Jr. and wife, Anne Warren, of Dallas, TX, Keith Crossland, and Jeffrey Crossland, and wife Linda Skinner, all of Lewisburg; five grandchildren, Brian, Brittany, Patrick, Grace, and Daniel; and one great-grandson, Samuel.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20 at Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St., Lewisburg.

A private committal service will be held in Mazeppa Union Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions in Jean’s memory be made to either the Evangelical Community Hospital, Development Office, One Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837 (please download mail able form at www.evanhospital.com/support/ways-to-give and direct gift to Nursing Education) or The Dorothy E. Robertson Music Award at Bucknell.  Please make checks payable to Bucknell University for this scholarship fund and address to Bucknell University, Finance Office, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or to a charity of one’s choice.