Richard John Crooks

Richard J. Crooks, 59, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, joined the choirs of angels, archangels and all the company of Heaven, greeting his Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, early Easter Sunday morning, April 8, 2012, at Bellin Hospital, Green Bay.

Richard John Crooks was born Aug. 15, 1952, in Oconto, to John B. and Norine (Topel) Crooks. He was a graduate of Oconto High School, attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and received a degree in Mortuary Science from the Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1973. Richard returned to Oconto and assisted his father in the family business, John B. Crooks Funeral Home. On April 19, 1975, he was united in marriage to Debra Sue Przybylski at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Milwaukee. This union was blessed with three children. Upon the death of his father, Richard faithfully continued serving the Oconto community until selling the business in 1983. Richard and his family then moved to Green Bay, where he was employed by Malcore Funeral Home and in 1988 moved to West Bend, where he worked for Schmidt Funeral Home. Illness forced retirement in 1992 and he moved back to Green Bay in 1997. Even during his illness, Richard continued to care about people, and when he felt well enough, would occasionally assist his longtime colleague and friend, Ray Ackerman at Ackerman Funeral Directors of Oconto.

He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of DePere. Richard was a very active member over the years in the churches he attended as well as the Jaycee's.

Surviving are his loving wife of 37 years, Debbie; children, Janet Anderson and her husband, Daniel, Watertown; and Kevin Crooks and Becky Crooks, both of Green Bay; grandchildren, Jayden, Austin and Sophia.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

The family will receive relatives and friends at First United Presbyterian Church, De Pere, from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2012, in the Church. The Rev. Dr. Ray Larson officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto.

Arrangements were in the care of Ackerman Gunetal Directors & Cremation Service.