Arlene Crooks, 75, of Wesley Chapel, FL, passed away peacefully at home on August 12, 2012. She was born August 25, 1936 in Forest, OH, to Dale and Vanetta (Cross) Hemmerly. She was a proud graduate of Ohio State University and proud to be a Buckeye with a Bachelors Degree in Education, which enabled her to pursue teaching in one form or another throughout her life. Her most rewarding experiences, however, were concentrating upon her home and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ann Rush, Bernece Getz, Effie Thiel; brother, Paul Hemmerly. Survivors include her husband, John W. Crooks; daughters, Lisa Crooks of Golden Valley, MN, and Leslie Whitfield of Wesley Chapel FL; granddaughter, Haleigh Ann Whitfield of Wesley Chapel, FL; foster daughter, Lydiah Macharia of Pasadena, CA; foster grandson, John Macharia; siblings, Dorothy Cornely of Westerville, OH, and Joanne Nelson of Stillwater, OK. Arlene was a wonderful cook, able to transform something delicious out of anything she had on hand. Ever caring and compassionate, she was always showering her love on others through her hospitality and generosity. She was thrilled when the opportunity arose to move to Florida and considered it a blessing from God to live her final 10 years in the Sunshine State near the sand and the surf. It was here where she and John just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in June.Arlene loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and fervently wanted everyone she knew to experience the same joy and peace she had in her Savior. There was a celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 18, at Hodges Family Funeral Home in Zephyrhills, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local Crisis Pregnancy Center.