Elizabeth "Betty" Croxton
Sept. 2, 1923 - Aug. 18, 2015
DEKALB, Ill.--Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Croxton, 91, died August 18, 2015 in DeKalb, IL. where she had lived at Oakcrest Retirement Center, since August of 2007 to be close to her daughter. Betty was born and raised in the Anderson, Indiana area. She was the wife of Dr. Dale E. Croxton who preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 2006 in Anderson after 62 years of marriage.
Betty was the elder of two children of Harry Kenneth and Margaret Pyle Pence. She was born September 2, 1923. Betty lived her growing up years in Anderson and was a 1941 graduate of Anderson High School. While attending AHS, Betty was a member of the choral club, the National Honor Society, and an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she sang in a sextet and taught Sunday school.
After attending Ball State Teachers College for a couple of years, Betty married Pendleton High graduate Dale Croxton. As many young women did, she followed her husband to where he was stationed in the US Naval Air Corps. Both Ensign and Mrs. Croxton returned to Anderson after his tour of duty. After both graduated from Ball State, Mrs. Croxton accompanied her husband to Michigan State College where he pursued his Dr’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine. Mrs. Croxton taught home economics at Haslett High School in Haslett, Michigan to help support the family while Dale attended classes. She was the state sponsor of future Home Makers of Michigan while at Haslett High School. After graduation from college, Dale, Betty and son, Michael, returned to Chesterfield, Indiana where Dr. Croxton established his private veterinary practice.
Mrs. Croxton went on to become the mother of four children, a home economics teacher in Muncie, IN., and later, with a Master’s Degree in Education, became a Guidance counselor at Pendleton Heights High School. She taught twenty-three years at Pendleton before retiring in 1986. While at Pendleton, she mentored the Caduceus Club and began the Future Teachers of America Club. Mrs. Croxton and family were active members of Chesterfield Christian Church throughout the years, where she taught Sunday school classes, was a member of the church’s Martha Circle and a longtime member of the Chancel choir.
Mrs. Croxton was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother Robert Pence, and her husband, Dale and several other family members.
Mrs. Croxton is survived by four children and spouses, Michael Croxton (Mary) of St. Louis, Mo., Walter Kenneth Croxton (Bonnie) of Glendale, AZ., Margaret Croxton Peterson (Roy) of Genoa, IL., and Martha Croxton Stutts (Larry) of Rock Hill, SC. She is survived by nine grandchildren. Michael Croxton Jr., Elisabeth Croxton Musselwhite, Walter Croxton and Sarah Croxton Pinkley all of St. Louis, Mo. area; James Croxton and Andrea Croxton Ravenkamp of Glendale, AZ. Roy Peterson, Jr. of Genoa, IL Christopher and David Stutts of Rock Hill, SC. Mrs. Croxton is also survived by fifteen great grandchildren, Savannah and Lucas Croxton, Steven, Daniel and Kaitlyn Musselwhite, Justin, Matthew, and Seth Croxton and Austin and Tyler Pinkley all of MO; Adam and Ekica Ravenkamp, Isaac Tartsah of AZ; Kendall and Jocelyn Stutts of S.C. Mrs. Croxton is survived by a sister in-law, Carol Croxton of AR., and nieces and nephews and friends.
Services will take place at the Chesterfield Christian Church on Monday at 10:30 a.m. with the Pastor Ned Clark officiating. Internment will take place at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service and Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Chesterfield Christian Church.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.