Eugene Joseph Croarkin, Sr.

Eugene J. Croarkin, Sr., of Kirksville, Macon and Edina, MO left this world at 94 years of age on March 31, 2015. He was born February 25, 1921, in Fort Worth Texas, the son of Ralph and Ruth (Wright) Croarkin. At the age of 5 by court decree he was given to Aunt Emma Corine Croarkin, who lovingly raised him as her own “Buddy Boy” and remained under her care through 9 years of school at the Immaculate Catholic School in Macon through his graduation from Macon High School in 1939.

On May 3, 1942 he was united in marriage to Peggy Ficken at the Immaculate Conception Church in Macon and she preceded him in death after 54 years of marriage.

His life was mixed with a variety of happenings. At age 15, he rode his bicycle from Macon to Chicago by himself to visit his mother, wearing the seat of his pants out by the time of his arrival. He attended Wright Junior College in Chicago for 1 year, worked for the Western Union as a messenger in Chicago and later worked as an accountant for the Jewel Food stores in Chicago. He entered the armed service in World War II where he spent one year in the states training, one year in the country of Wales, and one year in the five campaigns of Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes, Northern France, and Normandy. He served as the rank of sergeant in the 28th Infantry Division receiving five gold stars for his five major campaigns and a combat infantry badge. Eugene received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education at Northeast Missouri Teachers College in 1949 using the help of the WW II GI Bill; he also received his Master’s degree in Business. This started his 50 year teaching career of one year at Sturgeon Missouri High School, two years at Bluffs Illinois High School, one year in the city of St. Louis High School, 32 years as an instructor and professor of accounting, assistant, and associate professor at Northeast Missouri State University, one year at Indian Hills Community College, and 13 years at Buena Vista University as the instructor at the Ottumwa campus. He was known for his knack of never forgetting a student’s name after he learned it the first day of class.

Throughout his teaching career he attended UCLA in Los Angeles and University of Missouri at Columbia during summer sessions to keep updated in changes taking place in the business world. His favorite business discipline was tax; over the years he prepared many tax returns for people in the community, mainly to enhance his teaching tax accounting, which he taught many times at the university level. He was known for his love of big band music, coffee, and a good tax return; he always said it was like solving a puzzle.

To many people he was known as Grandpa Corky. His house was grand central station, with an open door policy, where he acquired many honorary family members over the years. From teaching the art of paper air plane making to going in circles on the merry-go-round, he played a pivotal part in every child's life he came in contact with. He was also a regular at Leo's Roller rink, skating frontwards, backwards, and doing the hokey-pokey, where he turned himself around. Eugene was preceded in death by wife of 54 years Margaret “Peggy” Ficken Croarkin, beloved Aunt Emma “Corine” Croarkin, mother Ruth Wright Croarkin Chirinos Miller, father Ralph Croarkin, and sister-in-law Shirley Ficken.

He is survived by “his girl” Virginia Hudson of Macon, Mo; half-siblings Mary Croarkin Harris of Kansas City, MO and Charles Croarkin of Sedalia area; brother-in-law Homer Ficken of Fort Worth, Texas; and his cousin Sue Gibilterra, as well as several nieces.

He is survived by six children, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren on the way, and one great-great grandchild. His children and spouses are Eugene J. Croarkin, Jr and Karen (Hunsaker) of Kirksville, MO, Janet (Croarkin) Tollenaar and friend Jeff Hawkins of Kirksville, MO , John and Mindy (Canadeo) of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, Judy (Croarkin) and Robert Patterson of Quincy, IL, Joyce (Croarkin) and Lavern Schmitz of Kirksville, MO, and Jeanne (Croarkin) and Freddie Bailey of Edina, MO.

His sixteen grandchildren are Dr. Paul Croarkin and Wife Mony of Rochester, MN; Mark Croarkin and wife Tricia of St. Louis, MO; Dr. Jeffrey Croarkin and wife Katy of El Paso, TX; Julie Valdivia and husband Mike of Kansas City, MO; Jessica Lenihan and husband Danny of Kansas city, Missouri; Sarah Ozias and Husband Pete of Columbia, MO; Oona Vedder and husband Tim of Minneapolis, MN; Mora Slifka and husband Neal of Minneapolis, MN; Jason Patterson of Quincy Illinois; Samantha Patterson of Quincy, IL; Jennie Bell and husband Devon of St. Charles, MO; Jill Briddle and husband Brady of Kirksville, MO; Maggie Jarvis and husband Danny of St. Charles, MO; Lindsay Leckbee and husband Randy of Kirksville, MO; Katie Dixson and husband Bryce of Edina, MO; and Shelby Bailey of Edina, Missouri.

His thirty-one great grandchildren are Kyle Croarkin, Morgan Croarkin, Lydia Nance, Kegan Nance, Logan Croarkin, Eli Croarkin, Matasen Chambers, Lake Gott, Clete Gott, Olly Ozias, Ella Ozias, Miles Vedder, Evie Vedder, Sydney Slifka, August Vincent Slifka, Jack Valdivia, Josephine Valdivia, Benjamin Valdivia, Rose Lenihan, Grace Lenihan, Danielle Lenihan, Sullivan Lenihan, Zachary Patterson, Haley Patterson, Grace Patterson, Tori Patterson, Tulianne Briddle, Tallulah Briddle, Lila Jarvis, Ivy Leckbee, and Macy Dixson. His great-great grandchild is Elliot Cover.

Rite of Christian burial will held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015, at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, MO. Father Chris Cordes will officiate the services. Burial with full military honors will be in the Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery.

Eugene selected musical pieces to be performed: Ave Maria, “I'll Be Seeing You” performed by Suzanne Howerton, and a musical piece played on the flute by John Croarkin.

Casket bearers will be Dr. Paul Croarkin, Mark Croarkin, Dr. Jeffrey Croarkin, Jason Patterson, Randy Leckbee, and Bryce Dixson.

Honorary bearers will Jim Edwards, Freddie Bailey, Lavern Schmitz, Robert Patterson, Jeff Hawkins, Gary Hudson, Paulie Schmitz, and Bill Minor.

Visitation will be held after 4 p.m. Friday April 3, 2015, in the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Prayer Service will be held the night of the visitation at 6:00 p.m.

DAVIS-PLAYLE HUDSON-RIMER FUNERAL HOME
2100 EAST SEHPHERD AVE. ~ KIRKSVILLE, MO 63501