Earl Crane

Earl Crane was the youngest of four boys born to Sarah Francis (Riddle) and Edward H. Crane. He was born on the family farm southwest of Springfield, Colorado, on July 16, 1923 and passed away on February 15, 2010 at Southeast Colorado Hospital in Springfield, Colorado, at the age of 86. Earl was a student at Lone Star School for eight short years of his life. After completing the 8th grade, he went on to attend the next level of education. He was persuaded by his cousin to enter high school as a sophomore with him in Canon City, Colorado and his attendance record at Canon City High School consisted of one day present after quickly realizing, "he had better things to do than go to high school." During the first and only day of attendance, he stepped foot in the front door long enough to walk straight through and out the back door, not wasting a minute of his time there. Right out of school he spent his time trapping skunks, rabbits and just about anything else he could get his hands on. Once the thrill of trapping wore off he took it upon himself to start working as a farmer in the fields southwest of Springfield. At the age of eighteen, Earl married Neva Merline Barnett on October 16, 1941, in Syracuse, Kansas. Together they moved to a farm southwest of Springfield to begin their journey as a married couple. Neva gave birth to their son, Troy Lee on November 21, 1942 and on October 20, 1945 she gave birth to their daughter, Bonnie Earline. After Troy's marriage to Linda Haddock and Bonnie's marriage to Reggy Lusk; Earl, Troy, and Reggy farmed together for about twenty years as E. T. R. Corporation, Inc. Earl and Neva were able to enjoy their four grandchildren, Rocky, Lori, Geston and Amber as they grew up on the farm. Earl and Neva had a very successful life on the farm and after 38 years they retired and moved into their new home in Springfield. Their retirement was spent traveling coast-to-coast in their motor home and on numerous occasions they would take their four grandkids with them. Earl loved to travel and any destination was fine with him. Earl accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior on November 4, 1981. After Neva's death in 1993, Earl married Ada Mae (Konkel) Self They enjoyed traveling together and sharing Ada's family. Ada passed away in 2001, leaving Earl alone again. He met and married Noma Lee (Baldwin) Borden. He and Noma shared their life together for over seven years until Earl's death. Earl is survived by his wife, Noma L.; son, Troy (Linda) Crane; daughter, Bonnie (Reggy) Lusk, four grandchildren: Rocky Lee Crane, Lori Ann Crane, Geston Dale (Cydnie) Lusk and Amber Dawn Morehead; eleven great grandchildren: Shawn (Leah) Crane, Jennifer Crane, Michael Crane, Danielle Hackett, Shaylee Patterson, Samantha (Richard) LeBlanc, Tawnie (Ryan) Bair, Tealia Morehead, Braxton Morehead, Jordan Cash and Ashtyn Robins; six great, great grandchildren: Alexis, Kyler and David Crane and Jonathan, Angelique and Faith LeBlanc. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Euna Pearl Crane, numerous nieces and nephews and a host offriends. Earl will also be missed by his extended family, Danny and Kathy Self, Steve and Twila Westphal, their families and the family ofDixie Self. He will also be missed by Noma's family. Earl is preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers Jakie (Gertie); Fred (Iva) and Willie Crane.