Mary Ellen Crook

Born: Oct 2, 1912 Died: Sept. 21, 2007 Mary Ellen Brown was the first of six children born to Augustus P. and Edith Allphin Brown. She was born in Moline, Ill., and spent the first 66 years of her life in several cities and on a farm in Illinois. She graduated from Lake View High School in Chicago in 1929. In 1933, she married Russell L. Reese in Monmouth, Ill. Mary Ellen did secretarial work and helped Russell when he farmed. They had one daughter, Sharon Kay. Russell preceded her in death in October 1976. Mary Ellen moved to Fort Collins in 1978. She sang with Sweet Adelines and volunteered at Poudre Valley Hospital. She met C. Grayson Crook, and they were married Sept. 12, 1982. They enjoyed traveling and camping. Grayson preceded her in death Nov. 12, 1998. Mary Ellen was also preceded in death by two brothers and one sister. She is survived by one sister, Jeanne B. Anderson, West Bloomfield, Mich.; one brother, Robert Sue Brown, Trinidad, Texas; daughter, Kay David Hartley, Fort Collins; two grandchildren, Clint Lori Hartley, Timnath, and Elaine Augie McArthur, Fort Collins; and five great-grandchildren, Alexa and Cassandra McArthur, and Hannah, Michaela, and Nathaniel Hartley. Also surviving are 11 nieces and nephews and their families. No service is planned at this time. Cremains will be buried in the Abingdon, Illinois Cemetery. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .