ELKHART -- Charlotte M. Crabtree, 88, of Elkhart, died at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 27, 2009) in Woodland Manor.

She was born June 20, 1921, in Elkhart to Roy and Odra M. (Schmidtt) Pixley. On Jan. 21, 1961, she married Ervin L. Crabtree in Elkhart. He died April 19, 2003.

Mrs. Crabtree is survived by one son, Charles L. (Mary) Miller of Elkhart; one stepdaughter, Marlene (Kern) Shoopman of Middlebury; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; 11 stepgreat-grandchildren; one sister, V. June Krieder of Elkhart; and her caregiver and foster daughter, Lonnie (Don) Newton of Elkhart.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Rebecca Dickson; one stepdaughter, Carolyn Riddle; and three brothers, Gordon, Hazen and Norman Pixley.

Mrs. Crabtree had worked as a cook and waitress at Jo Ann's Bar & Grill, Katti's Kitchen and the Moose Lodge, Elkhart. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Friends may call two hours prior to Friday's 2 p.m. funeral service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Dr. Daniel E. Gelatt of Calvary Baptist Church will officiate. Cremation will follow services with burial at a later date in Prairie Street Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church, 27664 C.R. 24, Elkhart, IN 46517. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.