Doris Howell Crank

Doris Howell Crank, Professor Emeritus, Northern Illinois University, 86, of Rockford passed away on September 3, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. She was born in Garden Prairie, IL, on June 26, 1922, the daughter of Lee and Grace (Underwood) Howell. She married Floyd Crank in Winnebago, IL in 1955. After receiving her bachelors degree at Illinois Sate University, she completed her masters and doctorate degrees at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She taught at high schools in Byron, Rochelle, Evanston and Champaign. She served as a guidance director at DeKalb and Champaign schools, and was a professor at Northern Illinois University. During the last 15 years of her teaching career she taught in the College of Business at Northern Illinois University, retiring in 1980. During her 42 years of teaching, she taught as Visiting Professor at the University of North Dakota; San Francisco State University; Lamar University at Beaumont, Texas; Arizona State University and University of Wisconsin, Madison. During her career, she conducted workshops in Missouri, Kansas, Florida, and appeared numerous times as speaker at state, regional and national conventions. Professionally, Dr. Crank served as president of state, regional and national organizations. She received distinguished service awards from a number of professional organizations, received the Excellence in Teaching Award at Northern Illinois University, and received the John Robert Gregg Award for contributions to business education in the United States. Her teaching career involved writing textbooks and numerous articles for professional magazines and yearbooks. Doris and her husband Floyd traveled to Europe on several occasions to attend annual meetings for the International Society for Business Education. She is survived by her husband, Floyd, nieces Marjorie Boals of Dakota, IL; Lorraine Houghton of Roswell, GA; and Nancy Updegraff of Winnebago. Nephews Dennis Drake of San Diego, CA; Jeffrey Howell of Winnebago, more than 50 great- and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly, and numerous other relatives and friends whose lives she cherished. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Russell, Robert, Ronald and nephew Robert Lee Howell, Jr. Nieces Betty Strote, Beverly Yttri and Martha Griffiths. Funeral service will be held Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4055 N. Rockton Ave., with Pastor George E. David officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. in Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., and will continue Monday in the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment to follow in Willwood Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Willows or to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church. To express condolences online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.