Jane Christine Croftchik passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, after a seven-year battle with dementia.
Born in Detroit in 1947, she spent the first three years of her life on a relative's farm in Spencer Iowa while her father recovered from wounds from World War II. She returned to Detroit and graduated from Redford Union High School in 1965.
Jane attended Central Michigan University, joined the Delta Zeta Sorority and became the homecoming chair. It was there she met her future husband, Greg Croftchik; who was the chair of the Sigma Chi Homecoming and ROTC Cadet.
They married in the chapel on campus and Jane took her senior year off to travel with Greg through the initial assignments. In one whirlwind year she found herself in Ft. Riley, Kansas, Ft. Gordon, Georgia, Ft. Lee, Virginia and back to Ft. Gordon, Georgia! When Greg left for Vietnam, she returned to Central Michigan University and graduated in 1970.
After Vietnam they found themselves in Greeley Colorado where she completed her Master's degree in education and two years later moved back to Central Michigan University when Greg took a job there. They started their family then with the birth of their two sons Ben and Todd.
Their final move north followed five years later where she excelled as a mother, wife, teacher and devoted servant of God. She taught 3rd and 5th grade in Kalkaska and Rapid City. She participated in many activates within the Presbyterian church and later in the New Hope Community church while never missing a game or school event involving her two boys. She was also very active in the women's service organization P.E.O. Elk Rapids chapter. Later, she loved being a grandmother to her six grandchildren; helping them with homework, playing with them, sneaking some snacks in and encouraging them in any way she could. It was the best time of her life with so many special memories.
Jane loved physical activity; walking, yoga, aerobics, biking, and everything having to do with cooking was on her daily list of things to do. She was a talented craft person enjoying painting, basket making, stamping up and sewing everything imaginable. Her special group that she loved so much was the women in the New Hope church sewing group who always made her feel so welcomed. She passed on these skills to her 6 grandchildren and looked back at the time spent with each of them as some of the most precious moments in her life.
As retirement wound down, she embraced traveling with Greg throughout the County "chasing trains" and riding them everywhere. She would run to the AAA, grab the latest state travel guides and spend days planning their trip so that they didn't miss a single "must see" spot. Many special moments were shared and many new friends were made; all remembered in her nightly prayers.
As her journey ended, her focus turned to God and the famous promise in the song "How Great Thou Art; When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart".
The family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan, the staff at French Manor and New Hope church for your never-ending care of love during her long journey. It would have been impossible to get through each day without your support.
Surviving are her two sons; Ben (Kelly) and their children; Ella, Anneka, Remy and Kelen. Todd (Kerri) and their children; Drew and Olivia. Also surviving is her loving husband of 56 years, Greg Croftchik.
Donations may be sent to New Hope Community church or Hospice of Michigan.
A private family service will take place later this summer at her home.
Please share your cherished memories of Jane with her family at www.Reynolds-Jonkhoff.com