Cecil Crawford, Jr., 86

September 5, 2012

Cecil Crawford Jr., 86, of Loon Lake, died at 6:56 a.m. Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.
He was born on Aug. 19, 1926, in Whitley County, a son of George Cecil and Gladys Fern (Traster) Crawford. His formative years were spent in Whitley County. He completed his education at Coesse High School.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy.
On June 12, 1948, he was united in marriage to Elnora M. “Elly” Gaylord. They made their first home in Jefferson Township and later Union Township. They then made their home in Fort Wayne for three years. In 1973, they moved to their home at Loon Lake. Mrs. Crawford died March 31, 2005.
A farmer, he also worked at General Electric and retired in 1991 from Weatherhead Dana.
His memberships included Loon Lake Association and lifetime member of V.F.W. Huntington.
Surviving relatives include two children, Sheryl (Steve) Hackett of Churubusco and Ronald (Darlene) Crawford of Pierceton; seven grandchildren, Taylor Crawford, Jacob Hackett, Tyler Hackett, Kaila Crawford, Kiley Crawford, Kegan Crawford and Kirsten Crawford; a great-grandson, Brodie Hackett; three sisters, Betty Lawrence of Columbia City, Donnabelle Comer of Fort Wayne and Mary Lou Pittenger Lehman of Columbia City and two brothers, Dick Crawford of Columbia City and John Crawford of Zellwood, Fla.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sons, Ricki Duane Crawford and Roger Wayne Crawford; three brothers, Phil Crawford, Jack Crawford and Gerald Crawford and a sister, Dot Cox.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
The burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors presented by Whitley County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.
Preferred memorials are to Loon Lake Association or Bear Lake Church of God Camp. Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.