ELIZABETH (HILLIER) CROFOOT

Jan. 29, 1913 - Feb. 27, 2007
MISHAWAKA - Elizabeth Hillier "Betty" Crofoot, 94, of Mishawaka, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, in Caring Junction Inc., Mishawaka. She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Crofoot (William) Murrmann; a son, Aaron Brooks Crofoot; and a granddaughter, Ashley Constance Crofoot. Also surviving are a step-grandson, William Monte Murrmann (Jennifer); a step-granddaughter, Lori Irene Murrmann; and three step-great-grandchildren, Melony, Hilary and Noah Murrmann. In her youth she traveled and lived in the wild west of Idaho and Oregon, eventually living in Los Angeles, California. Her father, a businessman with a local lumber yard, moved his family out west to allow his partner to return to South Bend. Eventually they returned home to South Bend. After graduating from Milwaukee Downer College, Mrs. Crofoot taught elementary education in New Carlisle until her marriage to Karl Vernon Crofoot.

She taught English at South Bend Central High School.

After taking time out to raise two children, she returned to her teaching career at South Side Elementary School in Mishawaka, eventually becoming director of the Special Reading program for the School City of Mishawaka. Betty was an active volunteer in politics while her husband Karl was Penn Township assessor. Her time was also spent volunteering for the Salvation Army and St. Joseph Hospital of Mishawaka. The family hosted a Dutch American Field Service (AFS) student, Iescha Dazert, for a year in 1958. This led to several subsequent trips to Holland to visit her family. This re-awakened a great love of traveling the world and enjoying life to its fullest. Betty loved to travel with family and friends she made through her life. Betty had many talents and candle-making was one of her loves. This eventually led her to go into partnership with her daughter and two other friends to run The Candlelights and Flowers Gift Shop in Mishawaka on LWE next to the Covey Restaurant in the 1980s. Betty was a longtime member of 1st Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka. Betty and Karl lived and farmed on the Crofoot original family farm site on S.R. 331, helping to cross the 100-year mark for a single-family ownership.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Mary Ann Banning of 1st Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka, officiating. Burial will follow at Ferrisville Cemetery, Mishawaka. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Caring Junction Inc. for all of their wonderful care and support during Betty's stay. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Betty loved helping people and meeting new friends, as she truly enjoyed life. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the Crofoot family, please visit our website www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 1, 2007.

01/09/2023 EJS