Alison Jane (Dyer) Croker, 84, of Indianapolis passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021 following a long battle with congestive heart failure. She was born on November 14, 1936 in Indianapolis to the late John G. and Mary A. (Patton) Dyer. She married James D. Croker, on August 9, 1958 in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
Alison was a 1954 graduate of Broad Ripple High School, and entered Butler University on an academic scholarship. Later transferring to Indiana University. She was affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She began teaching students in catholic grades schools as one of the earlier lay teachers in the diocese. She taught in the parishes of St. Matthew’s, St. Monica’s, Nativity and Immaculate Heart Grade Schools in first and second grades. She later worked as a Leasing Agent at Oakbrook Village Apartments for approximately 25 years before retiring.
Activities Alison enjoyed throughout her life include being a girl scout leader with two of her daughter’s troops, becoming a Master Gardner, volunteering at the Indianapolis Art Museum Greenhouse. At home, she raised many Springer Spaniel puppies, house cats, orphaned racoons, and injured song birds. Her concern with civic affairs brought her to the GOP, where she was a precinct committeeman for over 20 years. She also participated with the Indianapolis Obedience Training Club taking therapy dogs to Community East Hospital to interact with patients. When afflicted with COPD in 2005, she helped organize a unique pulmonary support group, which was called “Breathless in Indy Sunshine Group.” Her 15 minutes of fame came in 1969, when she was a “stand in” for Joanne Woodward during the filming of the movie “Winning” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, starring her favorite blue-eyed actor - Paul Newman!
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, James Croker, Sr.; children, Anita Johnson of State College, PA, Theresa O’Connell of Indianapolis, Jim Croker, Jr. of Indianapolis and Laura Croker of Lexington, KY; and granddaughter, Haley Johnson of Pittsburgh, PA. She will be most remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and as a true friend, who will be sorely missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4217 Central Ave., Indianapolis, with calling at the church starting at 9 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be private in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions have been suggested to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 4217 Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46205.
Alison and the family would like to thank Tina and Diana of Heartland Hospice for their sensitive support the last few months and Dr. M. Pfeiffer for his thoughtful care the last 14 years.
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