Crawford, Ben 1947-2011

CRAWFORD, PIERCE, MARTIN, DEKONING

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/28/2014 at 08:35:44

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

April 7, 2011

BEN CRAWFORD

Ben Crawford, 63, of Grinnell died April 3, 2011, at the V.A. Hospital in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 6, at the Grinnell Christian Church, with Pastor Ted Wieland of the Church of Christ in Scottsbluff, Neb., officiating. Pallbearers were Matt Bennett, Bill and Richard Crawford, Larry and Russ Lincoln, and Andy Phipps. Honorary bearers were Marty Barke, Daniel Bennett, Rod Boggess, Dave Dayton, Wayne DeKoning, Rich Humphrey, Ed Pegg, Glen Pollert, Jim Puls, Sam Reaves, and Pat White. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation was Tuesday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the family present Tuesday evening.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Ben Crawford Memorial Fund.

Ben was born August 20, 1947, in Grinnell, the son of Richard and Carol Pierce Crawford. He was raised in Grinnell and was a 1965 graduate of Grinnell High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served two tours of duty in Viet Nam as a Seabee.

On Sept. 29, 1968, Ben was united in marriage with Marla Martin and to this union three children were born: Carrie, Cristina, and Clint. The couple made their home in Grinnell and Ben was employed for various companies before taking over Crawford Tree Service in 1986.

His passions included hunting, good jokes that kept everyone laughing, magic tricks, Gospel and bluegrass music, and his Harley and the motorcycle trips. Some of his projects included teaching himself to play the guitar and other musical instruments, turning their house into a beautiful home; and building dulcimers, radio-controlled airplanes, and even a full-size chopper motorcycle. He was a man of strong faith.

Survivors include his wife, Marla of Grinnell; his mother, Carol of Grinnell; three children, Carrie Martin of Grinnell, Cristina DeKoning of Grinnell, and Clint Crawford of Eldridge; seven grandchildren; one brother, Richard Crawford of Sioux City; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a multitude of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dick and one granddaughter, Evelyn Grace DeKoning.