Obituary

Mr. Joseph H. Crane, 96, of Avondale, Arizona died April 7, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. He was born June 11, 1926 in Humboldt, Arizona to Joseph Crane, Sr., and Mary Amanda Hoffman. He was preceded in death by his sisters Helen, Mary, and Kathleen. Joe is survived by his wife Marilyn Crane, daughters Theresa Crane Payne Jones, Patricia Renee Hoffman, March Andrus, and Suzy Hasse, sons Charles J. Crane Mike Bernhardt. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and three still on their way.

Joe was born June 11, 1926 in Humboldt, Arizona to Mollie Hoffman and Joseph Crane, Sr. He moved to Mayer at age 9 where he enjoyed electricity (1 bulb with a string) and indoor plumbing (only in the kitchen) for the first time. He attended school in Mayer where he excelled in track and basketball. His father died when he was 15, so he went to work in the mines, for the railroad, and he learned to be a cowboy on ranches in northern Arizona. He joined the U.S. Army in October of 1944 and served in Germany until 1946. He married Dorothy Dandrea on March 21, 1945. Together they had three children Charles (Jody), Theresa, and Patricia (Trisha). He and Dorothy divorced in 1972. He met Marilyn Bernhardt on a blind date in 1974. They married in 1976 and he added three more children to his family: Mike, Suzy, and Marcy. He had a great love for horses. He was an avid team roper and loved telling people he got to compete in junior rodeos with two families.

He is a very special grandfather and all the kids love him. All have heard him tell them “It’s a long way from your heart,” and “Cowboy up” when they got hurt.

He is greatly loved by many.

A graveside service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 1pm on Thursday, April 27.