Joe Crane, 79

Joe Crane, 79, of Sun City West, Ariz., died suddenly in his home on Oct. 12, 2005.

Billy Joe Crane was born on Nov. 2, 1925, near Philadelphia, Mo. to Russell Lee Crane and Eula Brown Lake. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Fireman, First Class during World War II, aboard the ship LST 316. He was one of the few men who survived the invasion of Normandy (D-Day).

After his honorable discharge on Dec. 31, 1946, he moved to Kalispell, to work on the Hungry Horse Dam, where he met and married Elaine E. Graham on Oct. 28, 1949.

He worked in Kalispell, for 32 years as a superintendent for E.F. Matelich Construction building bridges throughout the Northwest. He was also a member of the Kalispell Elks 725.

After retiring in 1985, he moved to Helendale, Calif. In 1997, he moved again to Sun City West, Ariz.

In his early years, he loved fishing and water skiing. Later in life, he enjoyed golf and exercising.

Joe is survived by his wife, Elaine "Toots" Crane, of Sun City West; his daughter, Pamela Forsythe of Blythe, Calif.; granddaughters, Alishia Zaldivar of Phoenix, and Monika Forsythe of Oceanside, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Tristian and Ashlyn Zaldivar, of Phoenix; one sister, Rosalie Parson, of Quincy, Ill.; and two brothers, Jack and Harold Crane, of Hannibal, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Crane.

A family and friends gathering is scheduled in his home in Sun City West for his "Celebration of Life." No services are scheduled. Cremation has taken place.