CRABTREE, Evelyn Louise (Lynn)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 07/03/2015 Evelyn L. “Lynn” Crabtree, 89, resident of Algonquin, Ill., however, her heart and soul were in Holbrook where she lived for 44 years (1960 through 2004). She died Tuesday, June 9, 2015, from pneumonia, the catalyst that combined with chronic pulmonary and cardiac disease left Lynn too weak to recover at the Journeycare Hospice in Barrington Ill. Her grandson Richard, granddaughter-in-law Annette and son David were in attendance with her as well as numerous calls from family members for the preceding month. Lynn was born Aug. 10, 1925, in Delphi, Ind. Upon Lynn’s arrival in Holbrook in 1960 she worked at the Motoraunt restaurant (now the Butterfield). In 1966 Lynn and husband Buddy Crabtree opened the new Plainsman Restaurant which they operated for 20-plus years. Lynn also was a self-taught artist with her medium being acrylic and oil paints. She won numerous awards and ribbons at the Navajo County Fair in Holbrook while living there. While she painted birds, animal and landscapes she loved to paint stills of Navajo and Hopi woven baskets, pots, jewelry and kachinas. Her paintings were in high demand. She also enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Lynn is survived by her sons, David (Merle) Rhine of Newark Del., Buddy (Kim) Crabtree of Spokane Wash.; daughter (Patty) Patricia Fenex of Holbrook; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and cousins Marge Forman and Margaret Best, both of Delphi, Ind. Lynn was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Crabtree (in 1999); son Richard A. Rhine of Vietnam and Holbrook (in 1967); and a daughter, Peggy Rhine (1 week old in 1950). Arrangements were handled by Northern Illinois Crematorium and her ashes are currently located with her son, David, in Newark, Del. Later in the year there will be a memorial in Holbrook with burial of her ashes in the Holbrook Cemetery.