OBITUARIES

Dorothy was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich. and attended Davenport Business College. She married Walter Cronkright, the love of her life. Together, they owned and operated the True Value Homecenter in Cedar Springs, Mich.

Walt and Dorothy were committed Christians who loved the Lord and lived their faith openly. They were active in The Gideons International and freely shared their faith and resources with others. After retiring, they lived in Zephyrhills, Fla. for over 20 years and were actively involved in the Zephyrhills Assembly of God Church. They had been married 60 years when Walter died in October 1999.

In 2006, on her 90th birthday, Dorothy moved from Florida to an apartment at Friendship House in West Lafayette, Ind. For nearly five years, she led an active life with friends at Friendship House and the Upper Room Christian Fellowship Church. In April 2011, she moved to Rosewalk Village in Lafayette and enjoyed new friendships and activities there.

Dorothy loved her family and made many friends, with whom she kept in touch up until her death. She enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, baking, reading, and knitting sweaters for Guidepost’s children’s relief fund. Her family and longtime friends will remember her as bright, often spunky and always interested in others. She prayed regularly for her family and friends and generously supported several ministries. We will miss her greatly, but her legacy will live on.

Surviving are a daughter, Bonnie (Don) Blake of West Lafayette, Ind.; two sons, Thomas (Sonya) Cronkright of Cedar Springs, Mich., and Denis (Barbara) Cronkright of Kingman, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Vanderveen; sister-in-law, Anita Bera; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4 at Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The celebration of Dorothy’s home going will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Larry Young will be officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Instead of flowers, the family welcomes donations to The Gideons International.

Arrangements were made by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.