Anna L. Crofton
Ava, MO

Anna L. Crofton, 83 years, passed to heaven on April 16, 2009 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, MO. Anna was born August 20, 1925 in Clintonville, WI to Ernest and Ida (Oppermann) Thomack.
Anna graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, and studied at the Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis, MN for two years. Anna was a parish worker. Anna and Robert "Bob" Crofton were united in marriage on June 7, 1952 at LaCrosse, WI and to this union four sons were born.

Anna was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ava, MO since 1991. She was involved in the Naomi Circle at Trinity. She led a non-denominational women's Bible study in Ava for many years. She also served along with her husband in civic groups such as the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce and Ava Lions Club, where she was recognized for her contribution as the Literature Chairperson. She recently received a faithful service award from the Lions Club. Anna attended many Lions Club Conventions with her husband. Anna's enthusiasm and her joy for life were shared by all who knew her. Her husband, Bob, was former Pastor at Trinity and she was a faithful and supportive pastor's wife. Anna had a strong love for the Bible, her church family and her LORD.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers, Herbert, Martin, Walter, Ernest and Donald Thomack.


Anna is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob" Crofton, Ava, MO, four sons, James (Sandra) Crofton, Rawlins, WY, Luther Crofton, Princeton, NJ, Stephen (Karen) Crofton, Paradise Valley, AZ and Mark (Grace) Crofton, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Anna had seven grandchildren: Brent and Rachel (James); Daniel, Andrew and Elizabeth (Stephen); and Nikita and Charis (Mark). Anna is also survived by three great grandchildren, Matthew, Christian, and Owen; two brothers, Rev. Alwin Thomack, Newport, MI and Allen Thomack, Clarksville, TN, one sister, Eileen Dordal, Ham Lake, MN, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Anna will be Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Ava, MO with family receiving friends at 10:00 a.m. and burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Also, a visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2009 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Wayne Strohschein and Chaplain Roger Flint. Memorials may be made to American Bible Society, Trinity Lutheran Church, Ava, MO or Community Hospice an affiliate of Hospice Compassus, 807 N. Main, Ste. 1, Mtn. Grove, MO 65711. Contributions may be made at Trinity Lutheran Church or the funeral home.