Harrisonburg Daily News Record
April 21, 1953

J. M. Cromer Dies at Hospital

John Minor Cromer, 85, native of the Spring creek-Ottobine community, former resident of Madison Mills and a resident of the Harrisonburg community for the past thirty-five years, who was for a number of years employed by the city, died Monday morning at 2:40 o'clock at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Cromer, who had not been well for the past year, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday where his condition had been considered critical with little promise being held for his recovery. His passing, yesterday morning, brought sorrow to his many friends and acquaintances who knew him as a kind friendly and humble person.

A son of the late Benjamin P and Ellen Ralston Cromer, he was born on April 5, 1868 in the Spring Creek-Ottobine community where he spent the early part of his life.

Serving the West Rockingham section for twenty-five years as a rural mail carrier. Mr. Cromer made his home at Madison Mills for six years where he operated a dairy farm. For the past thirty-five years, he had resided in the Harrisonburg community and was for a number of years employed by the City. Mr. Cromer retired ten years ago.

Mr. Cromer was twice married. His first wife, who was the former Miss Lelia Sarah Wine, whom he married on December 24, 1900 preceeded him in death. On December 29, 1919, he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Louvenia King of Orange, Virginia, who survives him.

Besides his wife, he is survived by, sixteen children, Albert S. Cromer, of Detroit; Mrs. Louie Bumphrey, Burlington, W. Va ; Joseph P., Owen E., Wilson M., and Miss Barbara Ann Cromer, all of Baltimore: John Everette Cromer, Orange; Prank W. Cromer, and Mrs. G. G. (Hilda) Batton, of Fredericksburg; Jesse B, Cromer, of New York City; Ervin C. Cromer, Profitt, Virginia: Mrs. E. S (Hazel) Rhodes, of Harrisonburg; Mrs. H. C. (Virginia)
Bledsoe, and Mrs. Emmett (Virgle) Smith, both of Locust Grove, Virginia; Mrs. Oren (Gladys) Meadows, Petersburg, and Miss June Ellen Cromer, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Dan (Lottie) Wine, of Washington; Mrs. Annie Gordon, Philadelphia, and Mrs. Joseph (Mantie) Wine, of Spring Creek.

Two sons preceded him in death. George M. Cromer died in infancy, and Pfc. Ernest Eugene Cromer was killed on November 20, 1943 while serving overseas during World War No. 2. Six sisters, and three others also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the chapel of the Lindsey Funeral Home on South Main Street, with the Rev. James A. Swain in charge of the services, asissted by the Rev. Ernest S. Coffman.

Burial will be in the family lot in Woodbine Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be: Eugene R. Sandy, Carter W. Cromer, Joe C. Bowman, Goldie L. Lilly, Roy E. VanPelt, and Elmer E. Sandy.

Relatives are asked to meet at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. E. S. Rhodes, 725 Collicello Street, Wednesday afternoon, at one-thirty, where a brief service will be held prior to leaving for the funeral home.

Friends, and active pallbearers are asked to meet at the Lindsey Funeral Home, Wednesday afternoon at one-forty five o'clock.



Harrisonburg Daily News Record
April 23, 1953

John Cromer Funeral Held

Final rites for John Minor Cromer, an employee of the city of Harrisonburg for a number of years and for twenty-five years a rural mail carrier serving the West Rockingham section, who died Monday morning at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital following an extended illness, were held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the chapel of the Lindsay Funeral Home on South Main Street.

The Rev. James A. Swain was in charge of the services, assisted by the Rev. Ernest S. Coffman, and burial was in the family lot in Woodbine Cemetery.

Mr. Cromer's popularity and acquaintance was evidenced by the many friends and relatives who gathered to pay their final respects and the beautiful floral designs.

A native of Spring Creek community, Mr. Cromer made his home at Madison Mills for six years prior to moving to Harrisonburg thirty five years ago.