Eugene
Eugene Cronkhite
Eugene (Gene) S. Cronkhite, age 83 died May 4, 2019 at the Wings Home in Allegan, Michigan.
Gene will be lovingly remembered by his son Kelly J. Cronkhite, his daughter/son in law Lorie and Mike Bartz, his granddaughters McKensie and Samantha and several nieces and nephews.
He attended Otsego High School and was a veteran of the Army where he finished his high school academics, received the good conduct medal and served his time in Alaska.
For many years Gene worked for Michigan Cottage Cheese and retired from Yoplait USA where he was a member of the Teamsters and Union Steward. For most of his life he enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing cards, dancing, time at the casino, and spending time at the Elks and VFW.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Ivan; mother, Elsie Berry; wife and first love of 40 years Judy; his siblings Donna Walters and Jim Cronkhite; Bev Gauthier who was the second love of his life of almost 20 years; his sister in law, Sharalyn Davis and brother in law, Carl Walters.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wings Home and Wings of Hope Hospice for their compassionate care during the final last few months of his life.
At Gene’s request cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date with his children and grandchildren.
In honor of Gene, contributions may be made to
Wings Home
, Allegan Michigan.
The family welcomes memories and messages online at
www.winkelfuneralhome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Eugene Cronkhite
Condolence Messages
Tim and Diane Walters
May 6, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Kelly and Lorie we have so many memories of your dad and your mom and all the good times we had we will never forget them.
Reply
Todd Davis
May 6, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Kelly, Lori, Mike, Mackenzie, and Samantha
We are extremely sorry for your loss . Coming out to visit my aunt and uncle on the farm was always special, both as a child and later as an adult . The memories of happier days helps sustain me when I’m feeling melancholy. My times with my Uncle fishing, hunting, and horseback riding are very special and later when Uncle Gene was slowing down just sitting at the table looking out the bay window for deer and talking about life, family, and his hero The Duke. I always will remember how nice he was to me on my last visit he told me how proud he was of his family and I consider myself extremely lucky to be part of it. Aunt Judy and Uncle Gene left an indelible imprint on me . May god bless them both now that they are together again. Please know we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Love,
Todd, Peggy and Parker
Reply
Chris Ducharme
May 7, 2019 at 6:22 am
Kelly and Lorie- I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort during this sad time.
Hugs-Chris DuCharme
Reply
Bob and Loree Bagley
May 7, 2019 at 6:26 am
Peace and strength to you Kelly
Reply
Jackie, Emily, Eric & Evan Stack
May 7, 2019 at 7:53 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, Mckensie & Samantha,
Your dad and grandpa was a fine man! He was always kind, generous, and lots of fun! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Rest in peace, my friend.
Reply
Sherry Gauthier
May 7, 2019 at 8:21 am
Kelly, Lorie and Mike – my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call.
Reply
Dave and Laurie Westgate
May 7, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Kelly, Lorie and family,
Our most heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Growing up with you and knowing your Dad over the years was a great experience–he will be missed.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
May 7, 2019 at 12:36 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May he rest in peace.
Reply
DORIS SCHUITEBOER AND FAMILY AND BEA GAUTHIER
May 7, 2019 at 5:52 pm
SENDING OUR SYMPATHY.
Reply
Jim and Jean Cronkhite
May 7, 2019 at 6:19 pm
We are both very sorry to hear of Uncle Gene’s passing. It had been some time since we last visited with him and knew his health was not good. Kelly and Lorie, rest assured he is in a better place. He is probably arm wrestling and having a beer with someone already.
Reply
RON AND PAT NEWMAN
May 8, 2019 at 10:20 am
BEEN A FRIEND OF GENE’S SINCE KINDERGARTEN.SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU!
Reply
Mitzi Henke
May 11, 2019 at 10:38 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, and granddaughters,
Sending my condolences on the loss of your father and grandfather. My thoughts are with you.
Reply
Mitzi Henke
May 11, 2019 at 10:42 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, and granddaughters,
Thinking of you at this sad time. My condolences.
Reply
~Bill and Janice Thompson
May 14, 2019 at 9:02 am
… Dear Family Of Gene … Our sincerest condolences, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Gene, we will miss you!
Reply
Lisa Meyer
May 21, 2019 at 2:07 pm
I work at Yoplait and worked in load out back when gene was driving the Yoplait truck. He was always so nice to me when he came in and always had a hug for me. After they discontinued the Yoplait fleet I never saw gene again but I made sure that he was on my Christmas card list every year. Even though I never heard back I hope he enjoyed getting my card and knew I thought about him. I’m praying for gene and his family
Reply
Don and Hope Saladin
May 22, 2019 at 1:05 pm
Kelly and Lorie very sorry to hear the passing of your father. Got to know him when he still worked for Gen Mills. He would come up to Reed City and pick up loaded trailers. Sometimes when he got tired and I was off work would drive truck to Otsego while he took a nap for next run. Was always fun to stop and visit with him after he retired. Will miss stopping by and seeing him. Thoughts and prayers to all
Reply
Basil M Kidwell
March 13, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Kelly and Lori
I’m so sorry for your loss and the fact that i am almost a year behind! I loved both your mom and dad and they were very instrumental in my childhood. I’m also sorry that my life has led me away from you. Know that Billy and I are praying for you daily and that I hope we see each other in the future.
Basil Kidwell
Reply
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Gene will be lovingly remembered by his son Kelly J. Cronkhite, his daughter/son in law Lorie and Mike Bartz, his granddaughters McKensie and Samantha and several nieces and nephews.
He attended Otsego High School and was a veteran of the Army where he finished his high school academics, received the good conduct medal and served his time in Alaska.
For many years Gene worked for Michigan Cottage Cheese and retired from Yoplait USA where he was a member of the Teamsters and Union Steward. For most of his life he enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing cards, dancing, time at the casino, and spending time at the Elks and VFW.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Ivan; mother, Elsie Berry; wife and first love of 40 years Judy; his siblings Donna Walters and Jim Cronkhite; Bev Gauthier who was the second love of his life of almost 20 years; his sister in law, Sharalyn Davis and brother in law, Carl Walters.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wings Home and Wings of Hope Hospice for their compassionate care during the final last few months of his life.
At Gene’s request cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date with his children and grandchildren.
In honor of Gene, contributions may be made to
Wings Home
, Allegan Michigan.
The family welcomes memories and messages online at
www.winkelfuneralhome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Eugene Cronkhite
Condolence Messages
Tim and Diane Walters
May 6, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Kelly and Lorie we have so many memories of your dad and your mom and all the good times we had we will never forget them.
Reply
Todd Davis
May 6, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Kelly, Lori, Mike, Mackenzie, and Samantha
We are extremely sorry for your loss . Coming out to visit my aunt and uncle on the farm was always special, both as a child and later as an adult . The memories of happier days helps sustain me when I’m feeling melancholy. My times with my Uncle fishing, hunting, and horseback riding are very special and later when Uncle Gene was slowing down just sitting at the table looking out the bay window for deer and talking about life, family, and his hero The Duke. I always will remember how nice he was to me on my last visit he told me how proud he was of his family and I consider myself extremely lucky to be part of it. Aunt Judy and Uncle Gene left an indelible imprint on me . May god bless them both now that they are together again. Please know we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Love,
Todd, Peggy and Parker
Reply
Chris Ducharme
May 7, 2019 at 6:22 am
Kelly and Lorie- I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort during this sad time.
Hugs-Chris DuCharme
Reply
Bob and Loree Bagley
May 7, 2019 at 6:26 am
Peace and strength to you Kelly
Reply
Jackie, Emily, Eric & Evan Stack
May 7, 2019 at 7:53 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, Mckensie & Samantha,
Your dad and grandpa was a fine man! He was always kind, generous, and lots of fun! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Rest in peace, my friend.
Reply
Sherry Gauthier
May 7, 2019 at 8:21 am
Kelly, Lorie and Mike – my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call.
Reply
Dave and Laurie Westgate
May 7, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Kelly, Lorie and family,
Our most heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Growing up with you and knowing your Dad over the years was a great experience–he will be missed.
Reply
Maryln Langeance
May 7, 2019 at 12:36 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May he rest in peace.
Reply
DORIS SCHUITEBOER AND FAMILY AND BEA GAUTHIER
May 7, 2019 at 5:52 pm
SENDING OUR SYMPATHY.
Reply
Jim and Jean Cronkhite
May 7, 2019 at 6:19 pm
We are both very sorry to hear of Uncle Gene’s passing. It had been some time since we last visited with him and knew his health was not good. Kelly and Lorie, rest assured he is in a better place. He is probably arm wrestling and having a beer with someone already.
Reply
RON AND PAT NEWMAN
May 8, 2019 at 10:20 am
BEEN A FRIEND OF GENE’S SINCE KINDERGARTEN.SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU!
Reply
Mitzi Henke
May 11, 2019 at 10:38 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, and granddaughters,
Sending my condolences on the loss of your father and grandfather. My thoughts are with you.
Reply
Mitzi Henke
May 11, 2019 at 10:42 am
Kelly, Lorie, Mike, and granddaughters,
Thinking of you at this sad time. My condolences.
Reply
~Bill and Janice Thompson
May 14, 2019 at 9:02 am
… Dear Family Of Gene … Our sincerest condolences, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Gene, we will miss you!
Reply
Lisa Meyer
May 21, 2019 at 2:07 pm
I work at Yoplait and worked in load out back when gene was driving the Yoplait truck. He was always so nice to me when he came in and always had a hug for me. After they discontinued the Yoplait fleet I never saw gene again but I made sure that he was on my Christmas card list every year. Even though I never heard back I hope he enjoyed getting my card and knew I thought about him. I’m praying for gene and his family
Reply
Don and Hope Saladin
May 22, 2019 at 1:05 pm
Kelly and Lorie very sorry to hear the passing of your father. Got to know him when he still worked for Gen Mills. He would come up to Reed City and pick up loaded trailers. Sometimes when he got tired and I was off work would drive truck to Otsego while he took a nap for next run. Was always fun to stop and visit with him after he retired. Will miss stopping by and seeing him. Thoughts and prayers to all
Reply
Basil M Kidwell
March 13, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Kelly and Lori
I’m so sorry for your loss and the fact that i am almost a year behind! I loved both your mom and dad and they were very instrumental in my childhood. I’m also sorry that my life has led me away from you. Know that Billy and I are praying for you daily and that I hope we see each other in the future.
Basil Kidwell
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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