Obituary of Russell DeVere Crawford

Russell DeVere AaA"DeeAaA Crawford 1919 - 2008 Of Genesee Township, age 89, died peacefully Sunday, October 26, 2008 surrounded by family. The funeral service will take place 1:00pm, Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Miles Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris. Pastor Bruce Nowacek will officiate with burial to follow in Flint Memorial Park with Graveside Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Post #158. Family will receive friends at the Miles Martin Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11:00am until 3:00pm then again from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Genesee United Methodist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Russell was born March 10, 1919 in Forrest Twp., Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Verna (Davis) Crawford. He and Elizabeth Chloe Smiley were united in marriage May 24, 1947 in Genesee. She preceded him in death in 2003. Russell served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He retired from GM where he worked as a Tool & Die Sinker with Buick after 42 years of service and was a member of the IDSC Flint Local. Russell leaves to cherish his memory his children; Deborah (Robert) Fuson, Bethany (Gary) Thomas, James Crawford (Diane Johnstone), Diane (Eladio) Quintanilla, Jennifer (Kevin) McCann, eight grandchildren; Amy, David, Ryan, Tyler, Maggie, Samuel, Caleb, Celia and one great-grandson, Cole, sisters; Verna Hill, Geraldine Nottingham, Shirley Perkins, Audrey Miles, sister-in-law, Bernice Smiley, and many neices and nephews. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Verna (Davis) Crawford, wife, Elizabeth Chloe (Smiley), brother, Nathaniel, sisters; Inga Perior and Ethelda Randall and infant son, John.