Darlene Creque

Darlene Ann Creque, 81, of Decatur currently a resident of Adams Woodcrest of Decatur was called home to Heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 9:31 p.m.
Her parents, Rhobe “Bus” Crots and his wife, Grace, are receiving her into Heaven along with her brother, Donald Crots and many other family and friends who have gone before her.
She 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. She was one of seven 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. They were married on Sep. 14, 1963, in Temperance, Michigan. Last year, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They frequently moved after marriage from Indianapolis to Naperville, Illinois then Madison, Wisconsin and Fort Wayne before setting permanent roots in Decatur. Decatur is where they have called home from 1973 to the present.
They started attending First Missionary Church in Berne in 1974 and became very involved in a short time. She 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. They raised their children in that church, often attending Sunday mornings and evenings and Wednesday night services. They formed a great bond with treasured friends at that church over the years. She 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.
She was also an avid University of Michigan basketball and football fan. They would often be wearing opposite team colors. She 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 her was being a wife to her husband and a loving mother to her three children. Her 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 and 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 nine, 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 she 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, she and her husband kept their relationship fun with a great sense of humor while remaining rooted in Christ.
She is survived by her husband of Decatur. In addition, she raised a beautiful, loving family of two daughters, Sherri Thomas of Anderson; and Lisa (Marty) Lehman of Kalamazoo, Michigan; and one son, Patrick Creque of Berne. Family and Christ were the center of Darlene’s world, and she’s adored by her children, her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on as she brought her family closer toward the end in true Dar fashion. She will remain in the hearts of her family and all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 23 for one hour prior to the 12 p.m. funeral service at First Missionary Church, 950 U.S. 27 South, Berne. A dinner will follow at 1 p.m. for all who want to attend.
Memorials may be made to Have Faith Haiti — operated by A Hole in the Roof Foundation — founded by Mitch Albom.
Arrangements provided by Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the guest book, click on www.hshfuneralhome.com.