Donald Crane

DEXTER - The Rev. Donald E. Crane, 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 15, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born July 26, 1916, in Dudley, son of the late W.V. Crane and Nancy Walls Crane, he graduated in 1935 from Dexter High School and was an avid supporter of the Bearcat athletic program. An ordained minister of the Church of God, based in Cleveland, Tenn., he graduated from Lee College and began pastoral service. He served churches in Servierville, Tenn., Peoria and Sesser, Ill., and Salem, Ore. After returning to Southeast Missouri, he started churches in Malden, Dexter, Dudley and Poplar Bluff and had also spent time traveling as an evangelist.

On Aug. 10, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, he married Elfreda Mae Duley who preceded him in death on Feb. 10, 2002.

Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Norma Crane of Jackson and Randy and Myra Crane of Palm Desert, Calif.; three grandchildren and their spouses, Kimberlee and Kelly Young of Bentonville, Ark., Kelly and David Richardson of Jackson and Jennifer and Brian McGee of Belleville, Ill.; and three great-grandchildren, Kurt Young and Kyle Young of Bentonville and Garrett Richardson of Jackson; and his expected fourth great-grandson, Adam McGee, due in October.

He was also preceded in death by eight brothers, Lannie Crane, Noah Crane, Ora Crane, William Crane, Ransom Crane, Ernie Crane, Otis Crane and Ray Crane; and two sisters, Viola Rice and Luetta Jennings.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Don Kennedy will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Paid obituary