William "Bill" Croghan

       William David, son of Joseph Patrick and Margaret T. (Schmitz) Croghan, was born March 24, 1952 at Harlan, Iowa. He lived with his family on a farm southwest of Manning. He was one of nine children with a large family of cousins across the road, so the bus he rode to school in Manning was loaded with family. Bill graduated from Manning High School in 1971. Following high school, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard, earning the rank of Sergeant.

   Following basic training, Bill was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart Virginia Wieland. They made their home in Carroll and were the parents of three children. While working at Farmland in Carroll in 1973, Bill successfully applied for a position with the Carroll Police Department.  This fulfilled his lifelong desire to become a law enforcement officer. During 25 years with the department Bill graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, took additional criminal justice college courses through DMACC and Iowa Western Community College and completed the Criminal Justice Planning Course at Washburn University. He began his career as a Patrol Officer and was promoted to Sergeant and Captain. He was also Commander-Uniform Division, Assistant Chief and Acting Chief of Police. Following his retirement from the department in 1997 Bill joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office after Sheriff Doug Bass requested that he serve as his Chief Deputy. In 2002 he resigned that position and continued to serve as a Deputy Sheriff.

   During his stellar career, Bill was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Carroll JC’s; received a Public Service Award for saving the life of a drowning juvenile; and received recognition from the United States Secret Service for his involvement in recovering stolen vehicles and solving an identity theft criminal ring -- to name only a few accomplishments.

   Bill was completely dedicated to his family. In his spare time, he loved to fish and hunt and he was a true outdoorsman. Bill was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Templeton and a 3rd Degree Knight, Knights of Columbus, as well as a member of American Legion Post 20 in Dedham.

   While serving as Deputy Sheriff Bill decided in early 2016 to run for the elected position of Sheriff of Carroll County. In August of 2016 he was diagnosed with cancer and completed the first round of cancer treatment.  Despite a brave but short fight, he died on October 31, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 64 years, 7 months and 7 days of age.

   Preceding him in death are his father; brother John Croghan; parents in law Norbert and Margaret Wieland and brothers in law Leonard, Larry and Bernard Wieland.

     Bill is survived by his wife Virginia “Gin” Croghan, Templeton; three children Steve (Rhonda) Croghan, Carroll; Sherry (Jason) Kilby, Independence and Shannon (Todd) Hinners, Carroll; seven grandchildren Britney, Will, Cassie, Caleb, Carlie, Tucker and Serena; mother Marge Croghan, Manning; siblings: Gene Croghan, Harlan; David (Patty) Croghan, Missoula, MT; Charles Croghan, Manning; Patricia “Trish” (Marc) Arp, Manning; JoAnne (Terry) Halbur, Mechanicsburg, PA; Jerry (Nancy) Croghan, Manilla; and Jim (Jody) Croghan, Ballwin, MO; sister in law Mary Croghan Kruse, Manning; other sisters in law Alice (Don) Kramer, Lidderdale; Margaret (Linus) Venteicher, Corning; Pat Wieland Peters, Carroll and Karen Wieland, Templeton; aunt Kathy Croghan, VA and uncles Tom (Jeanie) Croghan, Omaha and Jim Kohles, Harlan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends

Officiating
Reverend Steven Brodersen, Celebrant

Reverend John Gerald, Concelebrant

Reverend James Bruch, Concelebrant

Lectors

Mary Kruse     Bev Finley

Eucharistic Minister      

Nancy Croghan

Dylan Wieland     Carter Wieland  

Gift Bearers

Britney and Will Croghan    Cassie, Caleb and Carlie Kilby

Tucker and Serena Hinners

“On Eagle’s Wings”    “Prayer of St. Francis”

“On Bread, One Body”    “Though the Mountains May Fall”

Sacred Heart Men’s Choir    Jeanne Kerkhoff, Organist

“Heaven Was Needing a Hero”    “Hallelujah”     Recorded Music

Shawn Croghan   
Jerad Croghan   
R.J. Arp   
Brian Croghan

Kevin Wieland   
Corey Wieland   
Pat Venteicher   
Jim Kramer

Honorary Casket Bearers

Bill’s Law Enforcement Colleagues

Bill’s Nieces and Nephews

American Legion DeWitt-Loustaunau Post 20

Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association Honor Guard

Sacred Heart Cemetery

Templeton, Iowa