Kenneth H. Crandall

Kenneth Harold Crandall was born on January 31, 1926, in Rockford, IL, the oldest son of Harold A. and Ruth (Chapman) Crandall. He died on February 7, 2018 at Wesley Willows in Rockford
He grew up on a dairy farm and attended the one-room Fehl School for 8 grades and Lincoln Middle School one year before becoming a member of the class of 1943 at Rockford West High. There he was head cheerleader, president of the Latin Club and delegate to the National Pan-American Congress. He was also president of the West Rockford District of Methodist Youth Fellowship.
He graduated from DePauw Univeristy in Greencastle, IN, where he was a Rector Scholar, Pulliam Scholar, Valedictorian, President of the Oxford Fellowship, the Philosophy Club, the Greek Club, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He was drafted in 1944 and served in the Army as 1st Sgt. 96th Ord H M Co and Sgt. Major, North Sector Ord Group, Oahu, Hawaii for 2 years. He then returned to DePauw to graduate in 1948. In 1949 he married Esther Hildebrand, and their marriage lasted nearly 69 years.
Further education was at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1952. He was winner of a fellowship to the Middle East for his essay on “The Impact of Islam on Christianity.” This led to his participation in a Muslin/Christian Conference in Bhamdoun, Lebanon in 1954. His essay was published in 19 different languages and dialects.
Kenneth served the following churches over a period of 40 years: South Meridian, CT; Wilmington, IL; Tinley Park, IL; Libertyville, IL; Roselle, IL and Lansing, IL. He held many offices in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church including Member of the Board of Education, Dean of several youth camps, Member of Council of World Service and Finance, Vice Chair of Conference Moving Committee, Chair of Council of Ecumenical Relations, Chair of Equitable Salaries Commission, Secretary of Conference Council on Ministries, Member of Administrative Board of Illinois Council of Churches and Head Teller of the Conference for 25 years. His participation in community organizations include Masons, Lions and Rotary clubs. In retirement he was reader for NIRIS, the Northern Illinois Information Service with NPR and enjoyed many years of retirement on the family farm, traveling and occasionally serving as interim pastor in neighboring churches.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Donna Conklin and Barbara Drogemuller. He is survived by his wife, Esther; brother, John (Suzanne) C. Crandall; sons, David (Terri) of Wildwood, IL, Stephen (Ginni) of Inverness, FL, Thomas (Tami) of Lake Geneva, WI, and daughter, Mary “Molly” (Caius) Jennison of Washington, IL, as well as 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 17, at Burritt Community Church with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Burial in North Burritt Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Willows. Online condolences may be submitted at fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com