Jeffrey George "Jeff" Crocker

    Jeffrey “Jeff” Crocker passed away November 30, 2022, at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan with his family by his side.
     A Memorial Service will be held at the Edgewood Church of God, Ithaca, MI, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Dave Perry officiating.
     Jeff was born July 2, 1957, in Saginaw Michigan to Robert and Phyllis Crocker. Jeff graduated from Ashley High with the class of 1975, where he met his wife, Laura (Lori) Stoneman. They recently celebrated 45 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, and four grandchildren.
     At a very young age, Jeff knew he wanted to be a farmer and spent his life mastering those skills. He worked most of his life in the agricultural field. Whether it was fertilizer, chemicals or seed – Jeff was the guy to see. He was amazing with his numbers. By memory he could tell farm customers what was planted in their fields for the past ten years, what seed and fertilizer they used and if they needed to spray or didn’t!
     Jeff worked long days and years for agriculture businesses becoming a farming expert and still managed to create a small family farm for his family. He worked from sun up to sun down most of his life.
     Jeff was an avid deer hunter. This was the first year in fifty-one years that he was not out there on opening day. His son and grandsons all tagged some nice bucks and that made his day. He loved talking to the neighbors on opening day and hearing about what they got (or missed). 
     Jeff also trapped for numerous years. A tradition that started with his Dad continued with his cousin Kelvin, then son and grandson. He bought Lori her first ring from his fur money. 
     Jeff loved to coon hunt until he was no longer able to walk the miles in the woods. He was instrumental in keeping the Michigan United Coon Hunters Club (Maple Rapids) going. He loved hearing the dog’s tree.
     Jeff cherished his family. He made sure his family’s needs were taken care of before his own. He never missed a ball game, a horse show, or garden tractor pull, always on the sidelines supporting them. He tried to be at most of his grandkids events too. The past few years were difficult for him to walk but if he could be there by driving and watching from his truck or golf cart – he was there.
     You could often see Jeff cruising the back roads on his golf cart checking his cattle and crops (neighbor’s crops too). He loved his community and chatting with his neighbors. He spent many hours at his father-in-law's having coffee and farm discussions. He loved a good cup of coffee, auctions and anyplace where he could talk about farming.
     He is survived by his wife Laura; daughter Lacey (Derek Elkins) Whitford; son Ben (Stacy Bockheim) Crocker; grandchildren:  Hannah and Garrett Whitford, Bailey and Skylar Crocker; bonus grandkids: Ryan, Leslie and Luke Bockheim, Jaden and Emmy Davis; sisters: Judy Miller and Deb Leonard; sisters and brother-in-law: Mary Osborn, Deana Yelsik, Kristy Stahl, Marvin Stoneman Jr., and Karen Bonham; many nephews, nieces and cousins; special friends: Gerry & George Wiard and Conrad Rattay.  Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Phyllis Crocker, niece Katrina Miller, father and mother in-law Marvin and Frances Stoneman Sr., sister-in-law Brenda Hughes, and his dog Katie.   
     Jeff’s last crop is planted in the field and he is now walking in greener pastures. He left some big shoes to fill and heavy hearts but the family knows he loved them most.
     In lieu of flowers, Jeff wanted donations to be made to Ashley FFA in care of Amber McAllister, 104 New Street, Ashley, MI 48806. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.