Charles Clayton "Chuck" Crane

Charles Clayton "Chuck" Crane of Burlington, MI



Chuck, age 93, died Tuesday morning, October 22, 2013 at his residence with his loving family and Lifespan Continue Care Aide at his side.


Chuck, the son of Ernest S. and Myrtle Bell (Irish) Crane, was born March 29, 1920 in Battle Creek, MI and he was a lifetime area resident. He worked for Michigan Woodwork and Michigan Carton Company prior to serving three years honorably with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII as a Sergeant. Chuck owned and operated Crane's Grocery at 552 W. Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek from 1946 until 1966. He was then employed as a Building & Ground Supervisor for Battle Creek Lakeview Schools for 16 years. While employed, Chuck also farmed for 20 years from 1954 until 1974. Farming was his hobby and over the years he grew grain and raised pigs, cows and chickens. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling with various Motorhome Clubs and playing golf of which one of his proudest moments was making a "Hole-in-One". As a young man in the 1940s, he took flying lessons for which he received his Pilot's License and also had motorcycles including a Harley and an Indian.


On April 4, 1942 in Defiance, OH, Chuck was united in marriage to the former Betty Louise Woodmansee. Surviving is his wife of 71 years, Betty; four daughters, Carol (Bill) Brenner and Peggy Nofs, both of Burlington, Linda (Mike) Wilkey of Scotts, MI and Cynthia (Kevin) Hale of Richland, MI. He also has ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; his brother, E. Dale Crane of Muskegon, MI and numerous nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Vivian Wygant, Velva Rozell and Gladys Troglen and his brother, Kenneth S. Crane.



The Funeral Service to celebrate Chuck's life will be held on Monday, October 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek, with Chuck's son-in-law, Rev. Kevin E. Hale, retired pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. Friends will be received on Sunday, October 27th from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chuck's honor may be directed to Alzheimer's Association, 350 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite # 20, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice, 166 East Goodale Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017.