Darlene A. (Crots) Creque

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 9:31 pm, Darlene Ann Creque, 81, of Decatur, Indiana, currently a resident of Adams Woodcrest of Decatur, was called home to heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her parents, Rhobe "Bus" Crots and his wife Grace, are receiving her into heaven.  Also, her brother Donald Crots and many other family and friends who have gone before her.

Darlene was born on March 15, 1943, in Monroe, Michigan. She was raised on the Crots family farm in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, until she graduated from Whiteford High School in 1961. Darlene was one of 7 children, being the only daughter. Her nickname to her brothers and all who knew her growing up was "Sis."  She learned from a very young age the ethic of hard work. She helped her mother cook, clean, and care for the younger siblings even while working in the family's tomato fields and peddling tomatoes for money for new clothes for school. 

In 1963, she married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Creque, who lived on the neighboring Creque farm, only 2.5 miles away. Tom and Darlene were married on September 14, 1963, in Temperance, Michigan. Last year, they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Tom and Darlene frequently moved after marriage from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Naperville, IL, then Madison, WI, and Fort Wayne, IN, before setting permanent roots in Decatur, Indiana. Decatur is where they have called home from 1973 to the present.

Tom and Darlene started attending First Missionary Church in Berne, Indiana, in 1974 and became very involved in a short time. Darlene enjoyed taking care of toddlers in the Nursery, being front and center for all her kids' holiday specials, and for many years enjoyed helping decorate the church for Christmas. Tom and Darlene raised their children in that church, often attending Sunday mornings/evenings and Wednesday night services. They formed a great bond with treasured friends at that church over the years. Darlene loved all things green and floral. She loved landscaping her yard and filling her house with plants and flowers, so much so that she became a co-owner of Gandy Dancer Florist in the mid-90s. There, she fulfilled a dream of working with flowers, plants, antiques, and gift items. 

Darlene was also an avid University of Michigan Basketball and Football fan. Dar and Tom would often be wearing opposite team colors. Dar was in Maize and Blue, and Tom supported his Hoosiers in Crimson and Cream. Many nights, she could be listening to Michigan playing on the radio in her bedroom or taping Michigan football games, only to rewatch them later with the same enthusiasm. She loved the excitement of live games and often attended games in Ann Arbor with her mother (Grace) and other family members.

Most important for Darlene was being a wife to her husband, Tom, and a loving mother to her 3 Children. Darlene's focus was her family first and foremost, which remained the same even as they grew up. She was a fan and advocated for her kids in everything they did in and outside school. She also instilled in them the importance of knowing God and leading by example while being a mother/woman of noble character. As her family grew with grandchildren...she became the Grandma everyone loved, as modeled by her mom. The focus of togetherness as a family was instilled in her from a very young age.

In her household of 9, closeness, compassion, and togetherness were a requirement, and she faithfully replicated that with her kids and their families. Holidays and many vacations were spent together, and kids could often be seen sleeping everywhere because she intended to have everybody close, even if only she understood the true importance of it at the time. Now, we appreciate the closeness that Dar instilled, and we all will carry that forward in our lives in memory of her. Even though they had been married for over 60 years, Tom and Dar kept their relationship fun with a great sense of humor while remaining rooted in Christ.

She is survived by (Thomas Creque) of Decatur, IN. In addition, she raised a beautiful, loving family of two daughters, Sherri Thomas of Anderson, IN; Lisa (Marty) Lehman of Kalamazoo, MI; and one son, Patrick Creque, of Berne, IN. Family and Christ were the center of Darlene's world, and she's adored by her children, her 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on as she brought her family closer towards the end, in true Dar fashion. She will remain in the hearts of her family and all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Services for Darlene Ann Creque will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the First Missionary Church, 950 U.S. 27 South, Berne, IN 46711. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a Funeral Service starting at 12:00 p.m. A dinner will follow at 1:00 p.m. for all who want to attend.

Memorial Contributions may be given to: Have Faith Haiti - operated by A Hole in the Roof Foundation - founded by Mitch Albom.

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