Anita Marie Crouch, 63, of Freeport, passed away at 7:38 a.m. Sunday, July 30, 2023, at her home. She was born September 6, 1959, in Chicago, a daughter of the late Marion and Dolores Florek of rural Milford. She married James Crouch Jr., in Watseka. They celebrated their 44th anniversary on June 30th. He survives.

Also surviving are two children, Amy Crouch and Joe Crouch, of Freeport; grandson, Mark Crouch, of Freeport; five sisters, Lourdine (James) Eyrich of Hoopeston, Colette (Steve) Elliott, Barbara Michels and Mary Lou (Bob) Christy, all of Watseka, and Charlene (the late Steve) King, of Cedar Grove, Wis. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Judy Crouch, of rural Milford, sister-in-law Judy Foster and brothers-in-law Wes and Nate Crouch and their families, her godmother, Elizabeth Hrkel, of California, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Anita graduated from Milford Township High School in 1977. Beginning in high school and extending through most of her adult life, she worked as a pharmacy technician, starting at the former Trudeau Drugs and later, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, both in Watseka. Anita took pride in the care she provided in her work, which was rewarded by customers who followed her when she moved from one pharmacy to another, most recently from Walgreen's to CVS in Freeport.

She loved her pets, and enjoyed being outside doing yardwork, gardening and snow-shoveling, although she was not a fan of winter – or thunderstorms. While not an active churchgoer, she believed in Jesus and was comforted before her death that she would soon be with Him.

Anita will be remembered as a woman who loved her family and doted on Mark, teaching him life skills with patience and humor. She was a good wife, daughter, mother, sister and was a source of stoic support to others during difficult times.

Cremation rites were accorded, and a visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, August 12, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, 608 S. Park Blvd, Freeport, IL. Condolences may be shared at www.schwarzfh.com. A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 9 at 11 AM, at the Milford Christian Church in Milford, IL. Memorials are suggested to the family and may be mailed to State Bank, James Crouch account, 1718 S. Dirck Dr., Freeport IL 61032, ATTN: Montana Hughes.