Obituary for Milli Crane
Mildred Crane was called home by her Heavenly Father on March 4, 2012 following a short illness. She was born to Andrew and Anna Kovac Fedor on February 20, 1923 in Hubbard, Ohio. She lived to be 89 years of age. She was preceded in death by her husband, Isham (Joe) Crane; parents; brother, Sam Fedor; and sister, Mabel Fedor Crose.
Milli, as everyone knew her, was raised on an active dairy farm. After graduating from Hubbard High School in 1941, she came to study at Anderson College where she met and married Isham Edward Crane, best known as Joe. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946 and taught high school English near her childhood home in Ohio as she waited for Joe to return from WWII.
Milli was a devout Christian and dedicated partner for Joe in their pastorates in Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon. In every congregation, Milli made wonderful family friendships that she nurtured for a lifetime. She served in multiple capacities in these churches as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, church pianist and Vacation Bible School worker. After Joe and Milli returned to Anderson, Indiana in 1960, for service with the Board of Church Extension and Home Missions, she earned her Master of Science degree in Education at Ball State University. She taught third grade for 28 years at Lindbergh and Tenth Street Elementary Schools in Anderson.
Milli was a charter member of Jo March Women’s Club which began during her years at Anderson University. She was an active member until her move to Minnesota in November, 2010. She cherished her friends and memories of their activities together. She especially enjoyed the Singing Saints, a group of Christian friends, which met monthly to sing the favorite hymns of the members. From childhood on, music has always been an important part of her life both at the piano and singing.
After retiring, Milli and Joe continued to serve the Church of God as interim pastors in Nairobi, Kenya; Sydney, Australia; Lubbock, Texas; Midland, Michigan and Napanee, Indiana. They also served as State Coordinators for the Church of God in Pennsylvania and provinces of Canada.
Three daughters survive: Susan (Richard) Floyd of Richmond, Virginia; Connie (Douglas Rausch) Crane of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Kristine (Ben) Porzio of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. There are eight grandchildren: Jeni (Andrew)Floyd Woodfin, Saratoga California; Jeanne (Lance Elwood) Floyd, Richmond, Virginia; Mike Floyd, Manhattan, New York; Mark (Jennifer) Floyd, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Andrew Crane Rausch, Boston, Massachusetts; Evan Crane Rausch, Manhattan, New York; Megan Porzio, Stirling, New Jersey; Michael Porzio, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and seven precious great-grandchildren: Price, Liza, Elizabeth, Zachary, Ruby, Hazel and Wilder Isham. Milli was delighted to see her family members during visits the last three months. Elmer and Donald Fedor, two brothers, also survive.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9th and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Home, 229 South Rangeline Road, Anderson, IN. Milli’s memorial service will be held at the Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Home on Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 a.m. Private Burial in East Maplewood Cemetery will precede the visitation and the memorial service. Milli’s daughters and their families want to thank the many friends who sent cards and letters to Minnesota to brighten Milli’s last days. In addition, we are eternally grateful for the care and kindnesses from those attending her at Presbyterian Home and Optage Hospice in Bloomington, Minnesota. In her final days, we are comforted knowing she was happy and at peace. Memorial gifts may be made to the Isham E. and Mildred Crane Endowed Scholarship Fund at Anderson University School of Theology, 1100 East Fifth Street, Anderson , Indiana, 46012.
E-mail condolences may be sent to [email protected].