July 31, 1923 — Feb. 10, 2018

Helen M. Crawford, 94, of Niles, died peacefully at 4:39 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at the Arcadia Hospice House in Florida following a brief illness.

She was born on July 31, 1923, in Detroit, to Peter and Gertrude (Himmelwright) Kroeg. She was graduated from Decatur High School, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University at East Lansing. She began her teaching career in country schools, and then was employed by the Niles Community Schools, teaching in several elementary schools, and serving for a few years as principal of Eastside School.

Helen was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist Church, and of the local and state professional teachers’ associations. She enjoyed cooking, and wintering in Florida where she was a member of The Sunsets social club for women.

On Feb. 17, 1950, in Niles she married Charles L. Crawford with whom she would have celebrated this Saturday the remarkable 68th  Anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Charles Crawford and their sons, Dennis Crawford of Largo, Florida and Bennet (& Robin Rudlaff) Crawford of Berrien Springs, Michigan; Helen’s sister, Dolly Anne Smith of Marcellus, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her sister, Betty Vliek.

The funeral service for Helen Crawford was at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Brenda Gordon of the Pokagon United Methodist Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Sumnerville Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to the The Old Rugged Cross Foundation, P.O.Box 41, Niles, Michigan 49120; the-oldruggedcross.org. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.