Spc Matthew R Crooks

Spc. Matthew R. Crooks, 28, of Fort Sill, Okla., passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Fort Sill. He was born Aug. 11, 1984, to Charles Crooks Sr. and Jackie (Harker) Handlon. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Teresa Crooks of Owatonna, Minn.; mother and stepfather, Rick Handlon of Shelbyville; daughter, Mackenzie Youst; brother, Tech. Sgt. Charles Crooks Jr. of Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and sister, Jena White of Shelbyville; and grandparents, Richard and Patti Harker of Shelbyville. He graduated from Brownsburg High School in 2007, where he was a standout diver for their high school swim team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2008. His military occupational specialty was builder of the Patriot missile. He received high honors from all his superiors. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at Hope's Point Church, 1703 Miller Ave., Shelbyville. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at the church with the Rev. Edwin Mohr officiating. Burial will be Friday at Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens & Crematory, 625 Progress Parkway, Shelbyville. Spc. Crooks will be receiving full military burial rites. He will be laid to rest in the Heroes of Honor & Glory Veterans Garden at Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens. Services are being handled by Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Funeral directors Greg A. Parks, Sheila J. Parks and Stuart H. Parks are honored to conduct the services. Online condolences may be made at www.murphyparks.com .