Geraldine Crocker

Geraldine E. “Geri” Crocker, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan died at 9:13 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at Woodland Terrace of Longmeadow in Niles following several years of Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born on August 22, 1932 north of Niles to Lorenzo and Della (Buck) Newman, and was graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1950. On September 1, 1951 at the Berrien Center Bible Church she married Joseph C. Crocker. Joe’s twenty-three year career with the A & P Grocery Stores took them to live in many Michigan cities. After returning to Niles, they built and operated the Crocker Party Store on Seventeenth Street.

Geri enjoyed reading romance novels, completing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and watching the birds at the feeders in her yard, especially the hummingbirds. She and Joe enjoyed retirement winters at Sebring, Florida, but her greatest joy was her grandchildren.

Surviving family includes Geri’s husband, Joe who likes to remind folks that their wedding was “the luckiest day of his life” and that “this wonderful woman has given him sixty-one and a half years of happiness”. Also surviving are their children, Cathy (& Rob) Stafford and Patti (& Tim) Albert, both of Niles and Mark (& Sue) Crocker of Baroda, Michigan and Joseph (& Carol) Crocker of Peoria, Illinois; grandchildren, Kelly Bishop, Matt Crocker, Pierce Albert, Joseph Calvin Crocker II, Shelby Crocker, and Courtney (& Matt) Eifler; and Geri’s brother, Dale Newman of Benton Harbor, Michigan and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Della Newman, and a brother, James Newman.

The funeral service for Geraldine Crocker will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Glenn Hoese of Niles officiating. Entombment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Geri may be made to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085; or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan, 310 North Main Street, Suite 100, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.