Joseph S. (Joe, Schwing) Cronan passed away on December 9, 2024, at the age of 97, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Thomas L. Sr. and Pearl Schwing Cronan in Port Allen, Louisiana, on November 19, 1927. He was preceded in death by his wonderful, beautiful, adorable, loving wife for one day less than 49 years, Wilma Arnold Cronan. He was married to Elonia Darce Cronan for 22 years.
Joe graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic School in Covington, Louisiana in 1945. He was a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who proudly served our country in post war North China. He graduated from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana with a pharmacy degree. Joe and his family moved to Baton Rouge in 1954, and he was a Registered Pharmacist at Stanocola Medical Clinic for 53 years. He believed in giving back and volunteered as a Pharmacist at the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy and as a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church prison ministry at the Hunt’s Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. His love of God grew as he attended annual retreats at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.
Members of the family left to remember his celebrated life are his two sons, John (Jan) Cronan, Sr., and Wayne “Buddy” (Vickie) Cronan, and five daughters, Susan (Mike) Falcon, Terri Ann (Kevin) Dupuy, Cindy (David) Hood, Mary Jo (Mark) Jarreau and Pennye (Nick) Fox, daughter-in-law Suzie Cronan, 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn Cronan, Mary Rose Cronan and numerous nieces and nephews.
Additionally, he is preceded in death by two sons, James Michael “Mike” and Larry Joseph Cronan; father and mother-in-law Fred and Alice Arnold; sisters Miriam (Denver) Graham and Nora Marie Cronan, and brothers Tom Jr. (Edna), William “Bill” (Sue), Patrick “Pat” and John M. “Mike” Cronan.
The family was blessed with excellent caregivers, Jane, Linda, Magdalene, and Katrina. The family also wishes to thank Hospice Care of Baton Rouge nurses and staff for their help during this difficult time.
Family and friends are invited to visitation services at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East on Florida Boulevard from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with recitation of the rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation resumes on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church, followed by burial at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.
Pallbearers are grandsons John Cronan, Jr., Jeremy Cronan, Joshua Cronan, Nathan Hawkins, Matthew Hawkins, and Scott Hood. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Paul Cronan, Stephen Cronan, and James “Jackson” Fox.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, P. O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70821.
Joe thanked God for his many blessings including his family, great neighbors, friends and as a member of the Stanocola Medical Clinic family.
In his own words, Sayonara Mother Goose!
