Madlynne Elaine Crooks

Puzzles, frogs, and golf—three of the many things that were dear to Madlynne Elaine Crooks (nee Julian), who passed on to greener pastures on December 10, 2021. Madlynne was born to James and Ann Julian on August 23, 1943 in Youngstown Ohio. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1961. She earned her B.S. in education from Youngstown College (now Youngstown State University). Always on the prowl for the missing puzzle piece, Madlynne married hers in William (Bill) Holland Crooks on a fall day in 1965—and were happily joined together for 56 years. Madlynne took the next leaps in her life when she and Bill welcomed Annmarie, William (Billy), and Rebecca into their worlds. What followed were cherished stories and memories filled with entertainment, sports, and occasional recklessness (mostly from Billy). These moments and many others followed Madlynne and the Crooks family to Indiana when they moved from Cincinnati in 1976.It was in Indiana where Madlynne experienced what she would likely refer to as “the hole-in-one” of her later years—her grandchildren. William, Zachary, Andrew, Ethan, Emily, Samuel, Joshua and Regina are the eight luckiest grandkids in the world. They were constantly reminded through both words and actions of how much they meant to Madlynne. They will treasure the memories of going to the bowling alley during the summers, watching the latest Harry Potter movie in theaters, trying to guess Pat Sajak’s latest puzzle on Wheel of Fortune, decorating the golf cart for the 4th of July weekend at Dye’s Walk Country Club, accidentally receiving an empty box as a Christmas gift (Ethan), or simply sitting in silence as the both of you devoured whatever book you were reading that day.As someone who never met a stranger, Madlynne’s kindhearted, innocent, and genuine interactions with everyday people were just like her: one of a kind. Her family likes to think that countless days were made brighter by Madlynne’s wide smile and warm aura; by her way with kids and her love for any animal, from dogs to frogs. She has requested that everyone remember her as the tall thin blonde she was. Madlynne is survived by her husband Bill, children Annmarie (Kris) Griffith, Bill (Margie) Crooks, Rebecca (James) Lee, her best friend and sister Georgia (Mike) Dohar, her brother Jim Julian, Jacqueline (Jackie Crooks, Lynne (Jim) Bada and many nieces, nephews, friends and family, whose love for her will live on with her soul. She was greeted in heaven by her parents, sister-in-law Elizabeth (Betty) Julian and brother-in-law Richard (Rick) Crooks as well as all her dogs waiting for her on the rainbow bridge.The family wishes to thank Greenwood Meadows for the caring of Madlynne these past few years, especially the staff of The Cottage Memory Care unit.A mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of the Greenwood Roman Catholic Church on Friday January 21, 2022 from 11am-12pm. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis. The afternoon will conclude with a celebration of life meal at the church for family and friends to share stories and memories of Madlynne’s life.”Here’s to looking at you, kid.” – Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca Arrangements are in the care of Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care, Indianapolis Chapel.