Frances (Clark) Cronkrite
Frances Margarette (Clark) Cronkrite slipped away quietly in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 to be with the Lord. In her 99 years, she was a beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was a wonderful potter and baker and a devoted follower of God.
Fran was born to Walter B. and Hazel Lydia Dell (Ferguson) Clark in Howell, MI in 1921. She grew up with her 4 brothers and 1 sister on the family farm in Marion Township that was established by her great grandfather in 1850. She loved to ride and care for her ponies, Molly and Prince. She attended school at the one-room Anderson School and graduated from Howell High School in 1939.
Fran enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother to her three children: William, Judith, and Marilyn in Middletown, OH. She returned to live in Unadilla, MI in the ‘70’s. She opened a ceramics shop on the side of the original Unadilla Store and ran a ceramics class at the Chelsea Methodist Home. She was an active member of the Unadilla 1st Presbyterian Church for many years, hosting the annual Apple Butter Festival on her property. She also hosted many cookouts for the NASCAR drivers and crew members who were associated with her son, Will Cronkrite. She worked for many years as a baker both at Gee Farms in Stockbridge and at Spadafores Grocery in Pinckney, MI.
Fran took great joy being in the midst of her family, always in attendance at the myriad events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an incredible memory. Her family loved hearing her many stories about her long life. One of the highlights was celebrating her 90th birthday with a Harley motorcycle ride.
She was welcomed into heaven by her 4 brothers: Arza, Chet, Burr, and Don; her sister: Dorothy Maschke; and her son-in-law: Robert Line.
Fran was a model of peaceful and serene living and will be greatly missed by her children: Will Cronkrite, Judy Line, and Marilyn Starkey; her grandchildren: Teri (Kurt) Sacker, Beth Koop, Sam (Carrie) Starkey, and Lisa (Kurt) Vandermolen; great-grandchildren: Kyle Sacker, Brandon (Ashley) Sacker, Stephanie (Matt) Love; Ethan and Ryan Koop: Corbin, Dawson, and Evelyn Starkey, Owen, Carter, and Eli Cronk, and Ella Vander Molen; and great-great-granddaughter Lilah Belle Love.
A funeral service was held on October 9, 2020 at MacDonald’s Funeral Home, Howell, MI followed by interment at Lakeside Cemetery also in Howell.
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