Lillian A. Kroenke

Lillian A. Kroenke passed away peacefully at her residence in Stow, OH on Sunday, October 26, 2025. A real firecracker, she was born on the 4th of July, 1936 in Moore Township, PA to Otis and Lillian E. (Riggenbach, Bendle) Hovencamp. Lillian graduated from Ravenna High School in Ravenna, OH, Class of 1954, where she excelled in academics, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated from Kent State University Magna Cum Laude, with a BA in Chemistry. She began her career at the Ravenna Public Library while still in high school. After graduating from Kent State, she was hired by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. as a Technical Librarian. While there, Lillian came across an article about Maria Montessori. It led to her life's passion, Montessori education of young children. Lillian became Montessori certified and taught at Hudson Montessori School in Hudson, OH. She quickly became their Head Directress. As a Member of the Board of the American Montessori Association, Lillian coordinated the activities of the first 40 Montessori schools in the United States before opening her own Montessori school in Kent, OH. Somehow, she found time to raise her four children and graduate from Case Western Reserve University with a MA in Early Childhood Education.
When the economy tanked in the early 1980's, Lillian had to sell her school and close her Designed for Children resources business. She took a position as Chemical Information Specialist at BFGoodrich Research Center where she met her husband, Dr. William Kroenke (Bill). After marrying, they retired from Goodrich and Lillian started Elanbe Publishing Services and developed educational materials for 3-7 year olds. Soon Lillian and Bill moved to Albuquerque, NM where she expanded her Elanbe business and published Infants and Toddlers Journal for 16 years. This quarterly publication highlighted the latest research studies and activities for children birth to 3 years. Until Alzheimer's set in, Lillian gave talks and displayed her educational materials at major Montessori Conferences. She also was an active consultant for Montessori schools across mainland USA, Hawaii and New Zealand. Lillian and Bill enjoyed "traveling the world" together, their favorite home away from home being Hawaii, where Lillian found a special sense of peace and joy.
Lillian is survived by her husband, Dr. William J. Kroenke; children - David (Catharine) DeVault and their children, Christopher and Elaina DeVault; Scott (Diana) DeVault and their children, Jenni (Tony) Garavaglia and daughter London; Steven (Javi) Sonnier; Brandon (Katharina) DeVault, and their sons Jayce and Ryder DeVault; Carina DeVault and her son Allistair Barker; Eric (Marissa D'Amico, fiancé) DeVault; Suzanne (Robert) Vanderhoff and their children, Kyle Moore, Amy Vanderhoff, Ashely Vanderhoff and her sons Dominic and Caiden; Timothy P. DeVault and his children, Ariana, Dylan and Katharine DeVault; stepchildren Mark (Kim) Kroenke, and their sons Jeremy and Alex Kroenke; Kimberly (Scott) Ramsey; special cousin Betty Anne Riggenbach, sister-in-law Maxine Hovencamp, several nieces and nephews, and numerous family, friends, former students and colleagues.
In addition to her parents, Lillian was preceded in death by her infant sister, Oma Hovencamp; stepfather, Raymond Doak; former husband, Harry L. DeVault; great-grandchild K. Vanderhoff; special cousin, Preston Tildon; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Warren and Adele Bendle; and brother, Rev. Otis Hovencamp.
Per Lillian's wishes there will be no public services. Private family burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna, OH, where she will be laid to rest with her mother. We are grateful to all of Lillian's caregivers at Vitalia Stow and Traditions Hospice for their compassion and dedicated care in her time of need. Condolences may be sent in care of: Suzanne Vanderhoff 1348 Howe Rd., Kent, OH 44240