Robert "Bob" Crocker

Robert "Bob" Bruce Crocker, 94, Centerton, passed away surrounded by family on May 27, 2020. He was the son of the late Harve and Katherine Crocker, born on August 3, 1925 in David City, Nebraska.

Bob left high school to enlist with the Marines in December, 1942 where he became a Radio Operator with the Marines 1st Division. He was in the 3rd wave at the Battle of Peleliu Sept 15, 1944 – Oct 21, 1944. He was in Okinawa from Apr 1st, 1945 – June 21, 1945, as well as the Occupation of China from Oct 5, 1945 – Jan 18, 1946.

After he left active duty, he got his high school diploma and furthered his education.
While going to school in Valpariso, he met and married Dorothy Schaibley on April 22, 1950. Shortly after their wedding, he was called back into service for the Korean War from 1950-1952 and was stationed in Camp Lajune North Carolina where their first child was born.

After Bob’s military career had ended, they moved to Indiana where he began a 20 year career with the Indiana State Police as a radio operator. While working for the State Police, he had many fond memories of working in the tower at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indy 500. During this time, Bob and Dorothy also welcomed 6 more children.

In 1960, they moved to Centerton where they stayed until 2019. In 1967, Bob and Dorothy became one of the charter families of St Thomas More Catholic Church in Mooresville. They were very devoted to their church and faith. After his career ended with the Indiana State Police, he began another 20 year career with Indiana Bell prior to his actual retirement.

Bob was an extremely meek and modest man. He often said he only had one vice, lying. He was well known for his blue eyes, sense of humor and wit, which he instilled on his entire family. The Crocker family is known for their close family, sarcasm and laughing, always laughing. He loved being surrounded by family, as long as they didn’t all try to talk at once. He is going to be missed deeply.

Bob lost the love of his life when Dorothy passed away on Oct 19, 2019. They shared 69 wonderful years together watching their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.

Bob loved bird watching, sudoku, and fishing. He made many annual fishing trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin with other family members. They also made several trips back to the North Carolina coast where he enjoyed watching the waves and feeling the warm breezes off of the ocean. During the later years fishing trips were on Wednesday nights to fish at his son’s pond.

Surviving family includes his children, Karen and Tony Houk, Mark and Teresa Crocker, Susan and Mark Parmerlee, Nancy and Paul Casey, Gail Wilkerson, Robert and Susan Crocker, Kevin and Marta Crocker, 18 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, sisters Pat Gelina, Doris Myers Griffin and Elizabeth Crocker along with brothers Denny and Harve Paul.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2020, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday June 1, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in St Thomas More Catholic Church. Burial will follow the services at St. Martins Cemetery, Martinsville. Per the family and church’s request, everyone attending the visitation and Mass service, is asked to please wear a mask. While flowers are welcome, memorial contributions may be made out to Wounded Warrior Project or to St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com where you may share a memory or sign the online guest registry.