Lyle Allan Crots, life-long resident of Ottawa Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 3, at the age of 89.
He was born on September 15, 1936, in Ottawa Lake to Grace (Sammis) and Rhobe (Bus) Crots. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Marilyn (Luse) on November 1, 1957. She was his queen and his love for her was a love of utter devotion.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; son-in-law, David (Marlene) Kujawa; siblings, Lynn Crots (Diane), Donny Crots, Darlene Creque (Tom); granddaughter, (Elisa Howell); niece, Deb Gallagher (Pat), and nephew, Randy Crots (Lisa).
Lyle gave his life to Jesus Christ at a young age and he spent his entire life following Him. He never wavered in his faith and together, he and Marilyn, built a solid life and family upon Christ as their Rock. They poured unending love into their four daughters, their grandchildren, and their extended family. Lyle was creative in the ways he interacted with his grandchildren: taking them to the fair to see animals, feeding the ducks, fishing, going to see a neighbor’s sheep, doing Christmas crafts, giving lawnmower rides, creating a giant sand hill and a tree house for them to enjoy! He dearly cherished each grandchild and kept up with the details of their lives right up to the very end. Lyle was blessed to have dedicated grandchildren who regularly phoned him, visited, wrote, and spent time with him…returning to him the time he had spent with them as children. His great-grandchildren were his prize and he regularly counted heads when he saw them in pictures to be certain they were all there. Their visits to the home of great-grandpa brought life and joy to him as they played at his feet with toys that belonged to his own daughters.
Lyle was a builder of fine homes and his love of wood and wood-working permeated his professional life. His expertise in creating plate racks with spindled edging, stone fireplaces and mantles, and winding oak stair cases was second to none. His mastery of wood was truly an artistic gift as he built homes throughout Whiteford and Bedford townships.
He was an extremely hard worker who was known for his diligence, quality, and attention to detail. A man of honesty and integrity, Lyle embraced biblical values his whole life. He was an encourager to family members when times were hard and was known for saying “hang in there” and “no gain without pain” as he stood beside those who were struggling. He didn’t preach Christianity with words…he modeled it for everyone to see day in and day out.
Lyle also had a great love for music, gardening, flowers (especially dahlias), and all things farming. His dahlia bouquets brightened days for many folks as he passed them out at church and at football games to friends and family alike. He played the musical saw for years and entertained audiences in abundance with his unique ability to combine carpentry and music. Music was always playing in the home as his daughters were growing up…and he took great delight in the varieties of music that filled his home. He was known for creative thinking, letter writing, and he coined descriptive phrases that will ever be quoted by his family (Dad, how did you sleep? With my eyes shut…) There was no one who worked harder or ate more at a family reunion than Lyle!
It is impossible to describe how much Lyle loved and supported his local church, Whiteford Wesleyan, and how much the outstanding pastors and congregation nourished him and his family throughout his entire adult life. His faith in Jesus was a deep anchor that held him fast when the winds of life roared…and he could testify to the countless times the Master calmed the sea for him.
Lyle and Marilyn fully supported the sporting events at Whiteford High School even to the point that they were publicly awarded the “Fan of the Year” recognition in 2016 by the Whiteford Bobcats. He was an enthusiastic fan who was thrilled when the high school took the football state championships and he could be seen trying to watch games on TV even when he was unable to attend games in person. There was always a special seat for him in the house when he could attend thanks to son-in-law Tony Dupree being part of the football coaching staff.
In later years, Lyle particularly enjoyed dropping by the worksites of his brothers and nephews to see the projects they were working on and he cared deeply for each one. After his beloved Marilyn went to Heaven in 2021, Lyle was heart-broken and his family worked hard to pour fresh life into him. At this time, he loved taking long drives with his daughters throughout the country side of Monroe and Lenawee counties…sometimes driving (as a passenger) rural roads for two to three hours a day five days a week. The drives kept him updated about area crops…building sites…in touch with dear family…and allowed him to visit Marilyn’s graveside with astonishing faithfulness.
He is survived by his daughters, Laura (Bob) Church, Marlene (with loving memory of David) Kujawa, Elaine (Donny) Howell, and Janell (Tony Sr.) Dupree. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Ryan Church, Brittany Church, Austin (Maddie) Church (Emerson), Derek Church, Tyler (Alyssa) Kujawa (Rena and Leila), Kyle (Karlee) Kujawa (Delilah and Nora), Trent (Dakota) Kujawa (Halia and Haven), Makayla (Lucius) Woods, Elisa Hope Howell (with loving memory), Denae (David) Howell (Phoenix and Trinity), Garrett Howell, Janessa Dupree, Anthony Jr. (Mia) Dupree, and Kianna Dupree (TJ and Kyra). He is also survived by his brothers, Louie (Patty) Crots, Larry Crots, Les (Nancy) Crots and many nieces and nephews.
Lyle’s family would like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio, niece Amy Luse and Pam Viers for their outstanding loving care. Additionally, we thank Pastor Rick Deisler and the congregation of Whiteford Wesleyan Church for their loving and constant support. There are not enough ways to count the number of times Pastor Rick Deisler visited and ministered to Lyle even serving as a constant emergency contact for whatever was needed.
Services will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 (visitation at 1:30 p.m. and funeral at 3:30 p.m.) at the Whiteford Wesleyan Church, 10285 Sylvania-Petersburg Road, Ottawa Lake, MI 49267 with Rev. Rick Deisler and Rev. Garrett Howell officiating, Worship Leader Trent Kujawa leading music, and remarks by Derek Church. Burial will follow in Whiteford Union Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com and memorial gifts can be directed to Whiteford Wesleyan Church. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis ave. Temperance, MI.
