Larry Kent Crandall

Larry Kent Crandall, 81, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at the AC Flower House, AFC in Nashville, with family at his side, on Friday, December 8, 2023. 

Larry was born May 9, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Frank W. and Bernadine M. (Marshall) Crandall. He grew up on the family farm, attended Court Country School and was a 1960 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School where he played football and was in the band. Larry earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science from Michigan State University in 1966. As a fourth-generation dairy farmer, Larry owned and operated Crandall Dairy Farms, the 1883 Centennial family farm for most of his life, first in partnership with his dad, then in partnership with his two sons, Brad and Mark.  

While at Michigan State University, he was introduced to his love, Gloria Jean Adgate through mutual friends, having their first date at Coral Gables in East Lansing.  They were united in marriage on April 15, 1967 at Le Valley United Methodist Church in Ionia, Michigan and were married 56 years.  They raised their 3 children on the farm and their life was filled with family gatherings, family camping at the pond, spending time in Grayling at the cabin, snowmobiling, catching shows at the Barn Theatre and taking fun trips.  In 1975, they were chosen as the “Outstanding Young Dairy Couple” by the Michigan Milk Producers Association. They wintered in Lakeland, FL for many years. 

Over his lifetime, he was very involved in his community including Calhoun County Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Association, DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc.), Michigan State University Farmhouse Fraternity, Bedford Township Zoning Board member, Northside Snowmobile Club, Calhoun County Progressive Farmers and related Sportsman Association. He was a longtime member and supporter of 4-H, the B.E. Henry Scholarship Committee and he supported the Calhoun Area Career Center. He and Gloria were also members of the North Avenue Church of God for many years. 

Larry especially loved Pennfield Schools Athletics.  He loved cheering on the football team from the sidelines where he worked as a member of the chain crew for more than 52 years. Larry was elected into the Pennfield Schools Hall of Fame as a community member in 2021 for his dedication, encouragement and support of Pennfield Athletics. He was so honored by this and could share back his stories of helping layout the ground with his tractors for the first football field. 

Larry will be remembered for his willingness to always lend a hand and help out a neighbor or a friend.  The farm and his family were the pride and joy of his life. He loved the farm tractors, engines and equipment and could really fix most anything.  September was his favorite time of year when the combine came out to begin the fall harvest.

Larry was so proud of his family. Surviving are his wife Gloria; their children, Lori Jean (Gregory) Hannemann of Kalamazoo, Brad Charles (Monica) Crandall of Battle Creek, Mark Lewis Crandall of Battle Creek; ten grandchildren, Justin, Kendall and Ryan Hannemann, Zach, Kylie and Isabel Crandall, Logen, Katie, Marin and Avery Crandall; a sister, Kathleen Garms of Battle Creek and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and a young sister, Marilyn Sue Crandall. 

Friends and family will be received from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. A funeral service to celebrate Larry’s life will be officiated by Pastor Jeff Eckman at North Avenue Church of God, 1079 North Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017 on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. followed by interment at Bedford Cemetery and a meal at the church. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at  https://northave.online.church or https://www.youtube.com/@northavenue2883.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pennfield School Athletic Complex, 8299 Pennfield Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017, or to the B.E. Henry Scholarship Fund, 7705 29 Mile Road, Concord, MI 49237.

Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.