Obituary of Ruth Kilian Cronk

Ruth Kilian Cronk--91 With her four children at her side, Ruth Cronk passed peacefully on Friday May 2nd 2014. Her spirit will continue to live and inspire. Ruth was born on November 18, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to Charles and Dorothy Schondelmeier Kilian. Around the age of eight or nine, the family moved to Ashland, NY. Ruth graduated from Gilboa-Conesville Central School in 1940 and then attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Brooklyn. Upon completing her studies at Gibbs, Ruth worked for the Texas Oil Company in New York City's Chrysler Building. After her marriage in 1945 to Donald Morse Cronk, Ruth resettled in Prattsville where she and Don raised their family. In her early Prattsville years Ruth was employed with Attorney Harold Rushmore in Stamford, NY. From 1962 until her retirement in 1987 Ruth became known to many students at Gilboa-Conesville, her alma mater, as a long-time school secretary in the guidance and administrative offices. After her 1987 retirement, Ruth re-entered the work force at A.J.Young & Sons Agway in Prattsville. Ruth served as president of the GCCS PTA, was a member of the Delaware County Educational Secretaries, a summer-time lifeguard for the Town of Ashland, member of Prattsville's Reformed (Dutch) Church since 1959, and president of the RCA's Women's Group for over 20 years. Ruth represented the Town of Ashland for the original Founding Committee for Columbia-Greene Community College where her name is inscribed on a plaque. Ruth is survived by her four children--son James of Prattsville, and daughters Donna Palen of Tega Cay, SC, Jill (George) Rydberg of Voorheesville and Amy Jo (Robert) Simpson of Esperance,former daughter in law,Ruth Ann Cronk of Holland, MI, five grandsons--John Palen, Aaron Palen, Stephen Palen, James Simpson, Brian Simpson, one great grandson, three sisters--Doris Van Valkenburg of Middleburg, Mabel Biegel of Seattle, WA and Myrtle Roth of Saratoga as well as several nieces and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Donald in 1983 and then long-time companion William (Bill) Wildermann in 2004. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th at 1:00 PM at the Community Church in Ashland. With her love of music and devotion to her church, in lieu of flowers Ruth requested that donations be made to the Prattsville Reformed Church, Prattsville, NY 12468 to go towards the purchase of a new organ after the church's destruction and loss of its wonderful organ during Hurricane Irene in August 2011.