Elaine French Crooks

Elaine French (Hayden) Crooks, 76, of Evansville, originally from Princeton, IN, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Heart to Heart Hospice. She was born October 24, 1949 to the late Eunice French Hayden and Elden Hayden.

Elaine graduated from Princeton High School Class of 1967 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, in 1970, her Master of Arts in secondary education

from the University of Evansville in 1973 and a secondary administration endorsement from the University of Evansville in 1979. Elaine taught English at Tecumseh High School in Warrick County her entire career (34.5 years).

Elaine is survived by her wife and partner of 51 years, Pamela L. Deskin; nephews, Matthew Jaques and his wife, Julie of Evansville, IN, Dennis Stoops of Sellersburg, IN; niece, Coleen Stoops Callahan of Melbourne, FL; brothers-in-law, Alan Deskin and his wife, Rhonda of Elberfeld, IN and Brett Deskin and his wife, Brandy of Elberfeld, IN as well as several great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her sisters, Marcia Hayden Stoops in 1967 and Susan Hayden Jaques in 2020.

There will be no visitation and no funeral service. Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Fort Branch, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guardian Angel Basset Rescue, 108 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 288, Dwight, IL 60420 in memory of Elaine Crooks and all the basset hounds.

Condolences may be made online at: www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.