Arden A. Crawford

Ada

Arden A. Crawford, 88, died at 1:05 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009, at his residence.

He was born May 1, 1921, in Kenton to Cary E. and Maudie Juanita Howard Crawford, who preceded in him in death. On Dec. 1, 1946, he married Betty Cox, who survives in Ada.

Mr. Crawford was a dairy farmer and had worked at the Ada Farmers Exchange. He had also been a custodian at the Ada Elementary School for 10 years. He was a member of Walnut Grove United Methodist Church, Kenton. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 35th Infantry Regiment and 25th Infantry Regiment. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9381, Ada. He enjoyed gardening, watching birds and woodworking. He had been a 4-H adviser for several years. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns and of The Ohio State University Buckeyes. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors also include two sons, Robert (Janet) Crawford and Douglas (Connie) Crawford, both of Ada; two daughters, Barbara (John) Culp, of Kingman, Kan., and Sharon (Clay) Calvin, of Upper Sandusky; a sister, Verna McBride, of Richwood; and 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, a stepgrandaughter and a stepgreat-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Cletis, Howard, Carroll, Willard and Russell Crawford; five sisters, Audrey Reese, Della Marie Rettig, Alice Haberman, Cary Juanita Williams and Helen Lephart.

Services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada. Pastors James and Jody Oates will officiate. Burial will be in Dunkirk Cemetery, Dunkirk, with military rites by VFW Post 9381.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and until time of services Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice the Caring Way of Ada or the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be sent to hansonneely@wcoil.com.