Charles Crandall

Charles Addison “Chuck” Crandall, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 8:33 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital – Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on May 10, 1922 in Niles to Andrew Raymond and Jeanette Marie (Sablé) Crandall and was a graduate of Niles High School.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, served as a guard at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., and was Honorably Discharged as a Veteran of World War II.  He was first employed at the former Berrien Springs plant of Clark Equipment Company,  and later employed as an electrician for several area plants including French Paper, Advance Engineering, Torrington, and Garden City Fan.

Chuck was raised in the Catholic faith at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and enjoyed bowling – usually at the former White’s Bowling Lanes.

On July 15, 1949 in Angola, Indiana he married the former Cecile Mildred Clem with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable sixty-ninth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Cecile Crandall and their daughters, Patt Chapman and Jann (& Robert) Crocker, both of Niles; grandchildren Tim (& Missy) Chapman, Brandon (& Neecy) Chapman, Jason Bonner, Scott Crocker, and Ryan (& Megan) Crocker; great-grandchildren Cole, Riley, Cooper, Corissa, and Nicholas; Chuck’s sister, Jeanette Thornton of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Jeanette Crandall, and by a sister, Ramona Bartell.

The family of Charles Crandall will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, March 17, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  The Committal Rite will be private on Monday at the graveside in Mission Hills with the Rev. Bob Bond of First Presbyterian Church in Niles officiating, and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.

Contributions in memory of Charles may be made to the City of Niles Riverfront Veteran’s Memorial, c/o Niles City Hall, 333 North Second Street, Niles, Michigan  49120; http://www.nilesmi.org/document_center/department/DPW/Buy%20A%20Brick%20Form%20Fillable%20Form.pdf .