Donald Crane

Donald Robert Crane, 84, died at 7:02 a.m., Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.He was born in Kane on April 8, 1928, and was one of four children born to the late Fred & Muriel (Grizzle) Crane.Donald grew up in Kane, and served his country with the U.S. Army.  While stationed in Alaska, he married the former Keota Darr of Kane, on April 20, 1952 in Anchorage.  After his honorable discharge the two returned home to Kane, where Don began a lifetime passion for farming.  The two worked together on the farm, where Don worked the land, and Keota tended to the books.  They raised their family of three children, and celebrated 60 years together before her death on Nov. 14, 2012.They also owned and operated Cranes Grocery Store in Kane for a period of time, and Donald was a loyal member of both the Kane United Methodist Church and the King Solomon Masonic Lodge for many years.Surviving are his three children & their spouses, Kimberly & Roger Thomas of Jerseyville, Marty & Beth Crane of Carrollton, and Scott & Carolyn Crane of Kane; seven grandchildren & their spouses, Jason Egelhoff of St. Louis, Kyle & Jill Thomas of  Glen Carbon, Amanda & Andy Wegrzyn of Jerseyville, Christina & Brian McAfee of Medora, Travis Crane of Peoria, Trevor & Megan Crane of Colorado Springs, Co., and Page Crane a student at Illinois State University in Normal; three great grandchildren, Clare, Kolbe, Hunter and one expected in June; a sister in law, Doris Darr of Jerseyville; and a brother in law, Robert Hillig of Jerseyville.In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Crane; and two sisters, Florence Crane and Oleta Hillig.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kane United Methodist Church with Rev. JoAnn Ruff officiating.Burial will be in the Kane Cemetery.Memorials may be given to the Kane United Methodist Church

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home