Dorothy Ellen Cronkhite

Dorothy Ellen Cronkhite, age 98, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday evening, December 19, 2023.  She was born in Wabash, Indiana on August 25, 1925, the loving daughter of Harlow and Hazel (Harden) Andridge.

Dorothy started her work in the First Evangelical United Brethren Church at the age of 7, helping her mother with the younger children in the Sunday school classes. Later, she became a Sunday school teacher herself as well as teaching Summer Bible School, until she was married.  Her work and contributions to the church, which became the United Methodist Church on the “5 Corners”, continued with selecting hymns, as well as singing in the choir, participating in church groups, making flower arrangements, taking photos at church events, keeping the church history, and was the church treasurer for many years.  The church was very important to her throughout her life.

Dorothy worked as a dental assistant right out of high school up until she started to work as a clerk & sales representative at Central Ambulance Services, owned by her brother, Theron from 1947 to 1960. From 1963 to 1987, Dorothy worked at the Battle Creek VA Hospital as a supervisor in the Inventory Management department.

Dorothy married the “Love of Her Life”, Robert Dwight “Bob” Cronkhite on April 5, 1946; he sadly preceded her in death on November 7, 1999.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Theron E. Andridge; and two sisters, Muriel Knuth and Wanda Mae Brooker.  Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Doug (Jackie) Cronkhite and Darrel (Alessia) Cronkhite; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews.

Dorothy and Bob enjoyed traveling out west to Arizona & New Mexico for many winters, towing their trailer with them and enjoying their summers at the family “5 Acre Retreat”.  She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, painting and flower arranging.  Dorothy also sent cards to the sick & shut-ins until she could no longer hold a pen to sign the cards.

Funeral services to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 22^nd at the Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta.  The service was recorded and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/897249671.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Charitable Union, 85 Calhoun St. Battle Creek, MI 49017.  Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Dorothy may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.