CRONK, Donna Lou of Thomas Township, MI passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Cartwright Hospice Residence surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old. Donna Lou Stoddard was born Nov. 25, 1925 in Saginaw MI to the late Clarence Stoddard and Mildred (Stoddard) Hawk. Clarence was an Engineer on the C&O Railroad and Mildred had various jobs including working at St. Luke’s Hospital. Donna lived in the Saginaw area her entire life, and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1943. She was an employee at Michigan Bell until 1950 and after raising four children returned to AT&T in 1976, and retired in 1989. She married her high school sweetheart Vern V. Cronk at Sacred Heart Church, Saginaw MI on June 21, 1947. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 64 years together. She and her family loved trailer camping and visited the many State Parks of Michigan. Donna was a wonderful cook, and was especially noted for her delicious cookies! She read voraciously all her life, and was a loyal patron of the Saginaw Public Libraries and the Thomas Twp. Library. She was a lifelong learner, and loved completing the New York Times Sunday crossword, and enjoyed a good political discussion. Donna was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Saginaw MI.

Donna is survived by her husband, Vern, and their children: John P. Cronk, San Diego CA, Christine (Brent) Patton, Wyoming MI, Joel F. Cronk, Saginaw, MI, Ruth Ann Rappley, Saginaw, MI. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Matthew (Amber) Cronk, Jeff (Nancy) Patton, Jay Patton, David (Amanda) Patton, Kellie (Charles) Malacos, Joel Cronk II and Jon Cronk; her four great grandchildren: Evan Cronk, Charles Malacos Jr., Jameson Malacos and Benjamin Patton. She is also survived by her only brother, James (Nancy) Stoddard PhD along with many nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL: Donna’s funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) Rev. Fr. David L. Parsch will officiate with burial to follow at St. Andrew Cemetery.

VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Deisler Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m., and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Thomas Township Library. Please share your thought and memories with the family at the funeral home, or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com.