Obituary of Phyllis W. Crooker

Mrs. Phyllis W. Crooker, 82, of Clark Avenue, Fort Plain passed away peacefully, Monday, February 9, 2009 at Valley Health Services in Herkimer following a battle with ALS. Born on April 11, 1926 in Utica, she was the daughter of the late Melville and Leona Peter Walker. A lifelong area resident, Phyllis was a 1943 graduate of Canajoharie High School. She went on to attend Oberlin College and graduated in 1947. Phyllis began her profession as an educator at St. Agnes' School in Loudonville in 1947. The majority of her teaching years were spent at the Fort Plain Central School until her retirement in 1981. In her spare time, Phyllis enjoyed traveling, stamping, ceramics, knitting, reading and gardening. She was a member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association as well as the Montgomery County Retired Teachers Association. She was a faithful member of the Fort Plain Reformed Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Phyllis also was one of the first in the area, to receive the Golden Bar for Girl Scouts. She continued her involvement as a Girl Scout Leader as a parent. Above all she loved her family and was devoted to them. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents and one sister, Elaine Dickman. Her loving family includes her husband of 60 years, Charles C. Crooker, whom she married on January 1, 1949 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Canajoharie; two daughters, Diane Oster and her husband Kim of Loudon, TN and Jeannine Bonhoff and her husband David of Fly Creek, NY; one son, Terry Crooker and his wife Cheryl of Johnstown, NY; five grandchildren, Stephanie Oster, Allison Oster, Kristin Bonhoff, Captains Gerod Bonhoff and his wife Catherine, and Ryan Crooker; and several cousins. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12 o'clock at the Lenz & Betz Funeral, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie with the Rev. Nancy Ryan presiding. Interment will take place at a later date in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited and may call beginning at 10 o'clock prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Plain Reformed Church, 165 Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339.