FRANKLIN
James Robert Crane passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 in Franklin.
Jim resided at Otterbein in Franklin, was born August 22, 1931 in Bloomington, Indiana with parents John B and Edith L (Eaton) Crane. He had one sister, Wilma Jean Sweeney, of Green Valley, Arizona.
He was employed by NCR Corporation for twenty years and Concord Computing Corporation from which he retired in 1990 as a VP of sales. He graduated from University High School in Bloomington and Indiana University in 1953. He lived in Franklin, Kokomo, Indianapolis, Evansville, Overland Park Kansas, Avon, CT. and St. Louis, MO. during his business career. He retired to Brown County, Indiana in 1990 and later served four years as County Commissioner.
He was married to the late Martha L. Newcomb Crane and they had four children, John Crane (Diane), Jeanie Tapke (Dan), Judy Bastnagel (Tom), Joseph Crane (Kelly); eleven grandchildren, ten step-grandchildren, his wife Loretta Carmony Wardrup Crane and her children Tom Wardrup, Stephanie Crist (Peter) and Mark Wardrup.
He was a proud member of Monroe Lodge 22, F & A M, BPOE, Grace United Methodist Church, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite, Rotary clubs in Evansville, Kokomo, Franklin, Hartford, CT, and Brown County where he was a charter member.
Rev. Andy Kinsey will conduct a celebration of Jim’s life on Saturday, February 27 at 3:00 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams Drive, Franklin, Indiana 46131 with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to time of service at 3:00 p.m. at the church. Inurnment will be on August 21st at 1:30 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana. Please visit www.franklingrace.org and click on the live stream service tab. It will be labeled “Jim Crane Celebration of Life.” and will be available around 2:45-2:50 on Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin Urban Forest Fund, c/o Johnson County Community Foundation, 398 S. Main Street, Franklin, Indiana 46131.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be received to the family at www.flinnmaguire.net.
