Rev. Ray Allen Crans, 91, of Honey Brook, PA passed away on Monday evening, June 13, 2016 at the Tel-Hai Retirement Community. He was the husband of Thelma Reath Crans who died in 2004 and also his first wife Pauline Fredricks Crans who died in 1967. Born in Elwood City, PA, he was the son of the late Winfield L. Crans and Margaret Pflug Crans.
Ray was an area resident most of his life. He proudly served in the US Army during WWII with the 275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and fought at the battles of St. Vith and the Battle of the Bulge. He was employed as a Christian Educator most of his life and had served with the 1st Baptist Church of Coatesville and also the 1st Presbyterian Church of Coatesville.
He is survived by six children; Patricia C. Thomas of Willow Grove, PA, the Rev. John "Jack" Crans and wife Sue of Brandamore, PA, Gary L. Crans and wife Clair of Worcester, PA, James V. Reath and wife Carol of North Wales, PA, Frank N. Reath and wife Gail of Stone Mountain, GA and Harvey Reath and wife Evelyn of West Grove, PA, 16 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister Evelyn Walker.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 11:00am from the Limerick Garden of Memories Chapel, 44 Swamp Pike, Limerick, PA 19468 followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Family and friends are also invited to attend the viewing from 10:00am to the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to County Corrections Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 1136, Coatesville, PA 19320.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Condolences
Sending prayers of comfort to the Cran's family. Heaven is rejoicing at his homecoming, the earth is blessed with his legacy of faithful family and friends.
Condolences
To the Crans family,
In one sense, we are sorry for your loss; but those who knew Ray are rejoicing for his homegoing.
It was a pleasure to have met him and will never forget our times together at Tel Hai.
He was one of the great servants of the Lord!
He will be missed.
Doug & Joy Wimer
We share in your sorrow and
We share in your sorrow and are so thankful for the life of our friend Ray. What a blessing he was to us and so many others in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in words and deeds. His smile, enthusiasm, and tireless energy.was an encouragement to me whenever we crossed paths- not frequent enough. O that the Lord would send us more like him!
Ray Crans
Dear Jack and Sue and family,
Your precious father played such an influentiall role in my young life as I was growing in my walk with Christ. Thinking of him always brings a smile. I am so grateful he was a part of my life.
My love and prayers are with you as you both grieve your loss and celebrate his Homecoming to Heaven!
With much love, Kay HiseyT4t
Dear Jack & Sue
Our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family at this time. What a legacy your father has given your family. He was a real testament to others of God's goodness and love. May God continue to bless your family with His love and comfort at this time and always.