CAROL ANN CROCKER, 86, long-time resident of Onsted, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Traverse City, Michigan. She was born on December 3, 1937, in Royal Center, IN, the daughter of Edward G. Schlegelmilch and Crystal May (Nethercutt) Schlegelmilch. Carol graduated from Idaville (IN) High School in 1955. She wed Gordon M. Crocker on June 30, 1957, in Idaville, IN. They were married for 60 years.
Carol was a cheerleader and softball player in high school. She grew up working often on her grandfather’s farm, baling hay and tending to livestock alongside her many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In 1953, at age 16, she met her future husband Gordon at a basketball game with a rival high school, where he was a player. After graduating from high school in 1955, Carol attended Indiana University (Bloomington) where she majored in music. After becoming engaged to Gordon, she interrupted her college plans and worked at the Logansport (IN) Pharaoh Tribune.
She and Gordon were married in Idaville, Indiana, in 1957 and they immediately moved to Adrian, Michigan. Their four children were born there between 1958 and 1964. In 1971, they moved to Sand Lake in the Irish Hills. From 1967-1972, in addition to raising four small children, Carol was a 4-H leader in the county as well as an executive secretary at both Hurd Lock and Tecumseh Products. She later owned and operated her own business, Petals & Lace Gift Haus in Onsted/Rome Center from 1995 to 2012.
Carol was an accomplished pianist, seamstress, crocheter, floral designer and cake decorator. She especially delighted in decorating birthday cakes and creating enormous balloon sculptures for her grandchildren and the schools they attended. She frequently attended their stage performances, volleyball games, soccer matches, basketball games, swim meets, and gymnastics competitions.
Surviving Carol are her four children: Gigi (Steve) Krygier of Traverse City, Marty (Jeff) Hubbard of Onsted, Gayle Smith of Onsted, Gregg (Susan) Crocker of Howell; 10 grandchildren: Kyla (Michael) Herbolsheimer, Kelyn and Stephen Sean Krygier; Crystal (Lindsey) Hubbard-Groves, Caitlyn (Drew) Larson, Carlyn (Brendan) Amerman, and Collin Hubbard; Kelsey and McKenna Smith; Alexis Crocker; and six great-grandchildren.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband Gordon and brother-in-law Steve.
Cremation has already taken place. A Celebration of Life ceremony for Carol will be held at Maple Cemetery in Onsted on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Donations in Carol’s memory are suggested to the Lenawee County Humane Society (https://lenhumanesoc.org) or the Hillsdale Arts Chorale (www.hillsdaleartschorale).
Online tributes and memories may be shared at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.