Evelyn Mae Crawford

The world will surely miss the kind and giving ways of Evelyn Mae Crawford. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a cherished grandmother. She leaves behind a lifetime of good memories shared with family and friends.

The year was 1926, and the decade was still very much in full swing with the notable title: the Roaring Twenties. Life was good, and there was plenty of work for the country. Henry Ford announced the 40 hour work week for The Ford Motor Companys factory workers. And with so many cars in production, it was imperative that the year also completed the famous Route 66 - taking travelers from Chicago, Illinois all the way out west to Los Angeles, California by automobile!

The weather was also quite active during this particular year in history. President Calvin Coolidge faced helping his country rebuild after storms of disastrous proportions. As if the Great Miami Hurricane with its category 4 destruction was not enough, the country experienced 27 tornadoes in one season. Thank goodness for the creation of Winnie the Pooh as a comfort to so many children during these and other storms throughout the year and for many still to come.

In the midwest, far from the troubles of hurricanes, a small town in Whitley County named Tunker was home to Clifford and Sophia (Montz) Brandenburg. In their home, on June 13th, this happy couple welcomed their precious daughter to the world. They named her Evelyn Crawford, and she would be the only girl along with two brothers to make the family complete.

One of Evelyns favorite childhood pastimes was riding the train with her father, as he worked on the railroad with Penn Central. She would hop on excitedly and travel from Larwill to Valparaiso to visit her grandmother. When she was not hitching a ride on the railroads with her dad, she enjoyed her time playing with friends and creating the typical happy chaos with her brothers at home. She attended and graduated from Larwill High School with the class of 1944.

It did not take long for Evelyn to make her next move in life after graduation. She promptly began working at Whitley Products before a friend introduced her to Gerald Wave Crawford. Right away, it was evident that she had found love. He happened to be serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and this made the logistics of marriage a little more challenging. The two made arrangements, and on April 27, 1945 they became husband and wife. The memorable ceremony took place at Oak Grove Church of God in rural Columbia City. The newlyweds traveled to New York, and Evelyn said a tearful goodbye to her husband for he had wartime duties to fulfill.

Back home, Evelyn began working at Litchfield Creamery before she and Gerald started a family together. One by one, the happy couple became parents to three boys making for a busy home together - which included a family farm. There was always a great deal of chores waiting for their attention. She also spent time working at Viking, Sears followed by another 16 years at Meadowbrook Manor in food service. All of this while keeping her boys out of trouble and teaching Oak Grove Vacation Bible School!

Though there was a lot of work to be done, the family did enjoy some very memorable times together. The Crawford Family went on camping trips during which many fishing adventures were shared. There was also the trip to Fairfield Glades in Tennessee offered as a free vacation in hopes of a potential property purchase. Though they did not, Evelyn always joked that they should have taken the opportunity to buy.

She finally retired in 1988 and looked forward to slowing down a little; however, the fun certainly did not stop. Evelyns first retirement treat was a 1989 blue Pontiac 6000 which still exists today. When the couple was not driving around in their car, they could be found traveling to many fun and exciting places in their motorhome. Then life gave them the gift of grandchildren and great grandchildren which made her heart even fuller.

Evelyn found great peace and enjoyment reading her Bible and other religious books in her free time. She was a member of the Oak Grove Church of God and attended First Church of God in Columbia City to meet her spiritual needs. She was also an avid coupon clipper which served her Christian giving ways quite well. She would go to the store and purchase $400 worth of food but only pay $200 because of her coupon collection! Then Evelyn would promptly donate all of the goods to various organizations in need.

It is hard to say goodbye to the caring and good person Evelyn strived to be. She leaves behind a legacy of hard work and a life well lived. Evelyn will forever live in our hearts, and the memories we shared will never be forgotten. Evelyn Mae Crawford will be greatly missed.

Evelyn Mae Crawford, 90, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2017 at Millers at Oak Point.

Survivors include her sons, Garry E. (Sharon) Crawford, of Lagrange, Gregory A. Crawford, of Fort Wayne and Mark A. Crawford, of Columbia City; grandsons, Brian (Lisa) Crawford and Brad (Shala) Crawford; granddaughter, Brooke (Warren B.) Hall; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald Crawford, who passed away on January 11, 1993; brothers, Russell Bud and Larry Brandenburg; and sister-in-law who she thought of as a sister, JoAnn Paullus.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2017 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday with a visitation one hour prior at Oak Grove Church of God, 2426 S Raber Rd, Columbia City with Pastor Steve Johnson and Pastor Carroll McNutt officiating.

Burial to follow at Nolt Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. Memorials may be given in her memory to Disabled American Veterans or American Heart Association. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.