Lennie David Crockaell, 80, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 6:33 PM on Saturday, June 27, 2026 with his loving family at his bedside.
He was born March 17, 1946, in Granite City, Illinois, to the late Lennie B. and Ruth (Cutbirth) Crockarell.
He married the love of his life and soulmate, Marjorie Ann “Marge” (Lee) Crockarell on September 14, 1973, in Golden, Colorado, and shared a marriage of love, lots of laughs, traveling and making great memories together.
A Christian hearted man from an early age he attended the 6th street UPC, North Venice A/G and the Edwardsville A/G. His faith in God was strong and his gentle heart led him into a life of service to others. He found his niche and life’s work in law enforcement, serving 3 years as an officer with the Collinsville PD and later transferring to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. David retired as a Deputy Sheriff after spending 26 1/2 years serving the public. He was a dedicated member of the Sothern Illinois Arson Investigators Association. Following his retirement, he worked for many years at the Home Depot, Edwardsville, helping patrons and sharing his DIY knowledge.
David enjoyed traveling with his wife, Marge, visiting the islands of the Caribbean, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Cancun and also visiting a friend’s cottage in the Pennsylvania mountains. A motorcycle enthusiast, he enjoyed biking out west, with his son, Steve, taking in the beauty of the land and visiting his brother, Billy, in Colorado. He spent hours reading and enjoying the western novels of Tony Hillerman and the stories of LAPD detective, Bosch, by Michael Connelly.
David enjoyed his many home projects and yardwork. However, he especially enjoyed being at home with his many parrots, (Cockatoos, African greys and Amazons) as well as his outdoor feral/rescued cats.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Marge Crockarell, and children, daughter, Angy; and son, Steve (Jennifer); grandsons, Blake and Seth Fourcault and great grandchildren, Briac, Brodi and Braelin Jones; his sisters Peggy Slayden of Miami, Fl, Jeanette Morlen of Granite City, and Patti McDaniel of Edwardsville; his brothers Baxter (Donna) Crockarell of Ballwin, Mo. and Billy (Linda Martin) Crockarell of Woodland Park, Co.; a sister-in-law Carolyn Fisk of Troy, IL and brother-in-law Jeff Lee (Frank Platz) of Glen Carbon.
Also surviving are his beloved parrots, Eddie and Sophie, many other extended family members, numerous friends, former co-workers, and members of the law enforcement family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Bill and Rozella Lee; his beloved granddaughter, Kaci Jones; a sister, Dorothy Fisk and brother Bernie Crockarell; sister-in-law Shirley Crockarell; Brothers-in-law David Slayden, Norman Morlen, Barry, Donnie, Bob and Bill Lee; special friends H. Douglas Brown III and wife Carolyn.
David will be greatly missed and remembered forever as a wonderful husband, for his kindnesses, his laughter, his jokes, his beautiful smile, as a super dad, great brother and gentle soul who loved his family, friends and birds intensely.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until time of a funeral service at 12:00 noon with Reverend Sam Hart officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon.
Memorials may be made to Renee’s Rescue Sanctuary for his love of animals.