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| Pictured around Mr. Crumrine’s bed are, left to right, DeAnna Best, husband Glen Best and son Gary Crumrine. |
The family sings the praises of Hospice of Michigan, State of the Heart Hospice and Spirit Medical Transport for getting the family patriarch home to Darke County. “They did a wonderful job getting me back here,” said Crumrine who is now a State of the Heart Hospice patient. His journey to hospice care started earlier this fall when he fell while visiting his son Gary in Michigan. He suffered a broken hip, was hospitalized, and then developed other health complications, explained his daughter. While in the hospital, he became a Hospice of Michigan patient.
“I was getting good care, but I knew I wanted to come home to Darke County for my birthday,” explained Crumrine. “I am feeling better every day and aim to keep going and have many more birthdays if the good Lord is willing to give me more time.”
Recently, his son Gary, daughter DeAnna and son in law Glen Best gathered around Crumrine’s bed at the nursing home. Joking and laughter was mixed with serious conversation. Humor plays a major role in the interaction of family members. When asked how he was feeling, Crumrine paused, reflected and said, “When I wake up in the morning, see someone cleaning my room, then I say to myself, ‘well, I guess I am here for another day’.”
Visitors stopped by, bringing a smile to his face. A prayer was quietly said by one of the visitors. “We will be back,” the visitors said as they left the room. Crumrine worked at Century Motors in Gettysburg for over 22 years, and when he was 90 years old was in charge of maintenance at Wal-Mart in Sidney. He worked until he was 92. A native of Darke County, he has traveled frequently to son Gary’s home in Michigan where the two enjoyed camping trips.
State of the Heart Hospice, with offices in Greenville, Coldwater and Portland, cares for patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are confronting a life limiting illness. Hospice care is known for “special qualities” in helping patients and families and hospices are known for “going the extra mile.”
“When we got a call from Hospice of Michigan, we knew right away that we wanted to do whatever we could to make the move happen,” explained Mindy Stebbins, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for State of the Heart. “This effort is an excellent example of how a community of health care professionals really came together to meet the needs of the patient in a very timely manner. It was a privilege for State of the Heart to be a part of making Mr. Crumrine’s wish comes true.”
Spirit Medical Transport of Greenville played a key role in the trip. Brian Hathaway, co-owner of Spirit, said, “We do the transporting of hospice patients within our area. A trip to Michigan was beyond our normal trips, but we looked at all of the factors and realized how important it was to Mr. Crumrine to be back to Darke County. It was absolutely a good thing for us to do. I am glad he is home for his birthday.”
On Sunday, October 7, about 50 members of the family and friends gathered in a community room at Rest Haven to have an “early birthday” for Crumrine. Daughter DeAnna explained that it was the best time for all family members to travel to Greenville for the celebration. Another “mini party” will take place on his birthday.
Asked if he was glad to be back in Darke County, Crumrine reflected, then very carefully said: Y E S, and that spells yes!”
For more information about any of the services provided by State of the Heart Hospice visit the agency at www.stateoftheheartcare.org.