It is with a heavy heart CMMRF reports the passing of our first Executive Secretary, Marion Keith Crum. A Memorial Service celebrating Marion’s life was held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 in the Compass Park Community Center. Following are my remarks at Marion’s Memorial Service and his obituary.

 

Gary Wyne

Executive Secretary, CMMRF

 

MEMORIAL:

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Gary Wyne. I am here today representing the Board of Trustees for Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation and the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International.

 

While Marion Crum was a long-time member of the Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite and a Thirty-third Degree Scottish Rite Mason, I came to know Marion through the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of Indiana as a Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Past Grand Recorder, Past Grand Lecturer, and especially as Executive Secretary of Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation.

 

When Marion decided it was time to retire from his position as Executive Secretary, he selected, or rather hand-picked me; he recruited me, to succeed him in that office. Too much cannot be said about Marion’s devotion to CMMRF. I will certainly omit many details that others present in this room today might include; stories they might tell. The oldest existing minutes of the Foundation are from a meeting held in Lafayette, Indiana on November 11, 1985. Inferring from those minutes, that was not the first meeting of the Foundation but rather a significant turning point as the original Foundation director, Dr. Owen L. Shanteau, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of Indiana; Past Most Puissant General Grand Master of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International, had passed on October 17, 1985 and the Foundation was in need of a replacement. The result of that meeting was that Marion Crum was elected to serve as Director of the Corporation. Additionally, Marion was also designated Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation. Marion had the whole foundation in his hands and under his day-to-day guidance; unofficially, of course.

 

Marion continued to serve as the touch point and the one most recognized person associated with CMMRF until his retirement, continuing even after his retirement. In 1996, Marion partnered with Dr. Craig Brater, Dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine to establish the CMMRF Endowed chair now held by Dr. Michael Murphy. To date, CMMRF has contributed more than $6.3 million dollars to Indiana University for research within the Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine. General Grand Council Officers came and went but Marion stayed on duty until he elected to retire in October of 2012; twenty-seven years of service and dedication growing CMMRF from its initial beginning of supporting the single focus of arteriosclerosis to today’s foundation supporting a variety of vascular conditions being targeted with adult-stem cells and the body’s own immune system.

 

In recognition of Marion’s devotion to the philanthropy and the Cryptic Rite, at its meeting held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the CMMRF Board of Trustees, acting with suggestion of Dr. Murphy and with the support of the General Grand Council, created the Marion Keith Crum Fellowship to support research fellows within the Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine. This will be a continuing fellowship allowing selected researchers additional opportunities to grow professionally and to enrich the development of research within the Center. It is the Board’s hope and expectation that this fellowship will ensure that Marion’s legacy lives on for many years to come.

 

OBITUARY:

 

Marion Keith Crum

June 22, 1931 – December 17, 2023

 

Marion Keith Crum, 92 of Franklin, passed on Sunday morning, December 17, 2023, with his loving family keeping vigil at his side.

 

Marion was born June 22, 1931, in Kirksville, IN to Thomas Henry and Paulina Alice (East) Crum. He married Iris Keutzer on January 19, 1950. Iris passed on October 10, 2019, just shy of their 70th anniversary.

 

He married his childhood friend, Carol (Mickey) Kelley on June 14, 2020, and they enjoyed life together until her passing on November 29, 2021.

 

Surviving Marion are his children, Charles Crum of Nashville, Victoria (Darrell) Rainwater of Nashville, Jeffery (Dee) Crum of Poland, Donald Crum (Kristy) of Nashville, and Laura Crum of Helmsburg; Nancy Nethery of Ellettsville and Betty (Mike) Ray of  Bloomington; thirteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Debra Crum, grandson Jeremy Crum, and great-grandson, Cohen Crum; siblings, Warren, Helmer, and Jacob Crum, Helen Anderson, Gladys Clowers, Mary Canada, and Dorothy Jones.

 

Marion was active in many Masonic Organizations and received honors, respect, and recognition too numerous to mention during his 70-plus years as a Mason.

 

Marion was honored at the Indiana University School of Medicine for his 27 years of dedication to supporting the Indiana Center of Vascular Biology and Medicine. The award from Gov. Mitch Daniels was presented by Dr. Craig Brater, Dean of IU School of Medicine.

 

The school of medicine also dedicated a mural timeline recognizing the impact Marion and the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation have had in supporting research at IU.

 

Marion asked that rather than mention what he had done, to simply say: He enjoyed his fraternities, friends, and family (anyone he met soon became a friend or part of the family). He enjoyed playing euchre, telling jokes, and making people laugh. Family members add that he enjoyed helping people in any way he could. He cared deeply about the welfare, health, and circumstances of others, his church, and fraternities. He had just donated funds to install a chair lift at Stanford Lodge and was looking forward to being one of the first to try it out.

 

Marion attended services at Crossroads Church in Bloomington, North Salem Church in Brown County, and the Compass Park Chapel. He did his best to follow the teachings of his Lord Jesus.

 

A Celebration of Life service was held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Compass Park Community Center in Franklin. Visitation began at 1 pm with the service at 2 pm. Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home in Franklin assisted the family with arrangements. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please extend an act of kindness to someone, and maybe tell them a corny joke to make them smile. Or you may make a donation to the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, PO Box 210, Brownsburg, IN 46112-0210