Rachel Irene (Criblez) Crow, 103, of Findlay passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022, at Blanchard Valley Hospital surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 23, 1919, in Bluffton to Adele (Grant) and Alfred Criblez. She married Almond Leroy "Roy" Crow on Oct. 3, 1945, who preceded her in death on July 10, 2004.
She is survived by her four children who loved and revered her: Toinette (James) Mohr, Greeley, CO; Rosine (Paul) Kohler, Port Townsend, WA; Curtis (Bonnie) Crow, Bow, NH; and Robroy (Debra) Crow, Findlay.
Rachel was a loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren: Thomas and Benjamin Trainor, Becky (Jeremy) Luke, Brian (Ana) Mohr, Rosea Crow, Wendy (Mike) York, David (Becky) Kohler, Curtis (Sarah) Crow, Jr., Jennifer (Daniel) Afflick, Melanie Burr, Danya (Joseph) Claes, and Rachelle Crow. She was also loved by her 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 15 brothers and sisters: Frances (Guy) Scoles, Freda (Eugene) Neiswander, Maurice G. "Dock" (Mildred) Criblez, Elvena (Wilbur) Heldman, Charles F. (Alice) Criblez, Ted A. (Charlotte) Criblez, Ellen (Ray) Griffith, Blanche (Waldo) Wilkins, Louis (Gladys) Criblez, Pauline (Solomon) Bosse, Harriette (Kenneth) Luginbuhl, Lucille (Thomas) Taylor, Robert Criblez, Elma Criblez, Charles F. Criblez; and her granddaughter Erinne Lee Crow.
Rachel's parents immigrated from Switzerland in the 1890s and settled on a farm outside of Bluffton. She attended a one-room schoolhouse with 20 students, five of which were from the Criblez family. She and her siblings walked a mile and a half every day to get to school and when they returned home, worked their respective chores on the farm.
Fluent in French, Rachel primarily taught English, French and Latin in the Pandora, Vaughnsville and Liberty-Benton school districts. She also taught physical education and business classes, served as the women's basketball and softball coach, and directed many high school plays. She retired in 1980.
She was a 1936 graduate of Bluffton High School and earned two degrees, a business education degree from Findlay College in 1940 and bachelor's in education from Bluffton College in 1941. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Findlay.
During her lifetime, she made more than 100 quilts and countless sock monkeys for family and friends, was an avid gardener, baker and excelled at everything she put her mind to.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm, Friday, July 15 at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 1:00 p.m on Saturday, July 16, at which time internment will take place in the church columbarium. Officiating will be Pastor Jessica Commeret.
In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials may be made to the Swiss Community Historical Society in Bluffton. Online condolences are welcomed at www.coldrencrates.com.
