Eleanor M. Cromer

CROMER, Eleanor May (Bryan), a resident of Kettering, OH, died at Good Samaritan Hospital on January 30, 2011. Eleanor was born in Chicago, IL on July 26, 1922 and raised in Piqua, OH, where her family owned and operated Retter's Tea Room, a well known restaurant for fine dining. She graduated from Piqua High School in 1940 and from Miami University in 1944, where she was a proud member of Chi Omega Sorority, was elected to Mortar Board, and was an editor on the "Recensio" staff. Following graduation, Eleanor worked for Proctor and Gamble, until meeting the love of her life, Bill Cromer, just home from the War. They were married in 1946 and settled in Dayton, where they raised 4 daughters. Eleanor loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was very proud of her daughters and granddaughters and often commented how they "all turned out so well!" She had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed travelling the world with her husband. She also liked to volunteer her time bringing comfort to others, such as with the chaplains at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, with Mended Hearts at Dayton Heart Hospital, and visiting shut-ins for her church. She is described as being gracious, loving, happy, generous, but, most of all, we remember her as kind. She was a lot of fun. She was unflaggingly optimistic and encouraging, with a radiant smile on her face. Eleanor often quoted her Grandma Jones' words to live by: "Always look forward; never look back," and "Count your blessings." Eleanor long since gave her life over to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and they continue, even now, to consult together. Her family and many friends will tell you she was the nicest girl in Montgomery County. There was a lovely feeling in our home and that feeling was our mother. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, Glenn Merrill Bryan and Bessie Esther (Jones) Bryan, and brother Norman Bryan. She is survived and sorely missed by her husband of 64 years, William, daughter, Nancy Bryan Cromer of Evanston, IL, Barbara Ann Cromer (John Wincek) of Cleveland, Susan Virginia Cromer of Dayton, and Amy Jeanne Cromer of Dayton; granddaughters Ann Marie DeLorenzo of New Orleans, LA, and Nora May Cromer of Cleveland and a niece, Kitty Evans Niebuhr (Robert) of Indian Beach Harbor, FL, grandniece, Jennifer Cleveland (William) of Birmingham, AL, and grandnephew, Jeffrey Niebuhr (Jackie) of Atlanta, GA. Eleanor also leaves behind many cousins in Topeka, Grantville and Great Bend, KS. Visitation and funeral times are pending. If desired, contributions may be made to the Residence Home Association, 3661 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH 45406. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home's website, via the guestbook, at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Centerville Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429