Sept. 27, 1919 — Nov. 2, 2008

Marge Crown, 89, a three-year resident of Corvallis, died on Nov. 2 following hip surgery.

Marge was born in a farmhouse near Mackinaw, Ill., to Clarence and Leah Greening. After attending Lone Star (a one-room schoolhouse), Mackinaw Grade, and Mackinaw High schools, Marge and her older sister Evelyn attended Illinois Wesleyan University. She was initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority.

“The Greening sisters” then graduated from the University of Illinois, majoring in business. Marge then worked in the accounting department at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Ill.

During World War II, Marge met Rhodes Crown, a Marine, on the tennis courts in Mackinaw. On Nov. 25, 1945, they were married by Rhodes’ father, Leslie Alvin Crown, the then-pastor of the Mackinaw Christian Church, where Marge was a member.

While raising two daughters on farms in Minier and Mackinaw, Marge was very active in community organizations, including Jr. and Sr. Women’s Clubs, PTA, Sunday school and Girl Scouts.

From 1959 to 1963, Marge worked in the accounting department of Ralston Purina Company in Bloomington, Ill. In her next career step, her dream of working with children was fulfilled. She became a social worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services from 1963 to 1978.

Both before and after retiring, Marge and Rhodes played a lot of golf in between entertaining family and friends over countless barbeques in their home at Crestwicke Country Club near Bloomington, Ill.

In 2001, Marge and Rhodes retired full-time to their condo in Longboat Key, Fla., where she became very active in local Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni groups. Since 1969, Marge spent many hours walking up to eight miles daily on the beach, collecting shells and chiding her daughters for not keeping up with her pace!

Rhodes died in 2003. In 2005, Marge moved to Corvallis, to live near her daughter and son-in-law. Her activities included Red Hats and trips around Oregon, as well as to Seattle and Las Vegas.

Marge possessed a strong presence, an incredible zest for living, and an independent spirit, as well as a great capacity for love and generosity for her family and friends. She felt that being a wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt was her greatest fulfillment. Children were drawn to her, as they felt her genuine affection for them.

Marge enjoyed bridge, cozying up with a book, and communicating with family and friends through visits, sending and receiving cards and letters, and phone calls.

Watching her favorite sports on TV was a top priority! They included college basketball and football, professional baseball and golf. She was the Fighting Illini’s No. 1 fan, as well as a rooter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Go Cards!

Elephants accentuated Marge’s natural flair for fashion. In her final hours, she said, “I’m a staunch Republican, but it’s okay if Obama wins.” Little did she know that she and Obama’s grandmother would both die two days before Election Day, 2008.

Survivors include: daughter Patricia Crown of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter and son-in-law Connie and Rick Ingram of Corvallis; grandson Solomon Rhodes Crown of Lynnwood, Wash.; and nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her father, Clarence Philo Greening; mother, Leah Wilhelmina Fasse Greening; sister Evelyn Doreen Greening Hunkele; and grandson Matthew Rhodes Ingram.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mackinaw Christian Church, P.O. Box 259, Mackinaw, Ill. 61755, or to your favorite charity. Online condolences can be sent to www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.