Donald H. Crandall

Donald Harry Crandall, son of Marjorie (Ludlow) and Mason Crandall, passed away October 19, 2021, at the age of 92. He had been in declining health for the past three years.

Don was born in Homer, Michigan, on August 23, 1929. He had five siblings; Richard, Lawrence, Wayne, Virginia, and Dorothy, who all preceded him in death.

The Crandall family has always been loving and supportive and enjoyed many family reunions on the family property along the Kalamazoo River.

Don graduated from Homer High School and Michigan State University. He received an additional administrative advanced degree from Michigan State University (MA) to complement his continuing work in Natural Resources and Agriculture. He was then accepted into the University of Michigan’s Leadership Development Program and completed that work in 1967.

Don moved to Gaylord in 1959 as the Agriculture Teacher and later became Director of Vocational Education at Gaylord High School. He was always passionate about his work with the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and his Adult Education experiences. He worked tirelessly at regional and state levels to improve Agricultural Education in Michigan. When he was first hired into the Ag program, he worked 12 months of the year with his students and their farm projects. He was recognized for his outstanding work by the state as an “Honorary State Farmer.”

Don was also passionate about the Boy Scouts. He and two of his brothers received the Eagle Scout Degree at the same time. While in Gaylord, he became a Boy Scout Leader for several years. Don served on the Manpower Regional Consortium for many years overseeing many projects for federal support throughout the area. He was a member of Rotary International and many committees at the First Congregational Church.

Don married (Mary) Helen Scott in 1967.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Jerry, Shirley (Howard), Jen (Sean), Jason, and Mischelle (Jean); seven (7) grandchildren, five (5) great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by all his siblings. Don and his first wife, Vada Jinkerson Barstow, lost three boys: Mason (1959), Thomas (1957), and William, (1952) to a rare genetic disease.

The family is grateful to Hospice of Michigan and ComForCare for their support during the past few months of Don’s life.

A memorial service for Donald will be held Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church UCC, in Gaylord, MI. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in the church Parish House.

The services will be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page. It can be viewed by following the link below Don’s picture.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gaylord First Congregational Church UCC at 218 W Second Street, Gaylord, MI 49735, or the Crandall Scholarship Fund through Otsego Community Foundation, PO Box 344, Gaylord, MI 49734.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.