Eileen Bessie (Icheldinger) Crawford

Eileen Bessie Icheldinger Crawford, 98, of Lansing, MI, passed away March 12, 2014. Eileen was born December 5, 1915, in Dexter, Michigan, to Bertha and Alfred Icheldinger. She is preceded in death by three sisters, Gladys Brown, Pearl Manning, and Evelyn Rogers. Eileen was married to Ferris N. Crawford on June 25, 1941. Eileen was a resident of Lansing, Michigan since 1948. Eileen was devoted to her husband, Ferris, who preceded her in death. Together they raised four children: Douglas Nathan (Lois) from Baytown, Texas; Barbara Ann (Michael) from Athens, Georgia; Susan Marie Tharr (Billy) from Cape Coral, Florida; and Thomas Alfred (Tina) from East Lansing, Michigan. Eileen is also survived by ten grandchildren, Nathan, Andrea, Kimberly, Benjamin, Rebecca, Rachel, Douglas, Kelsey, Taylor, and Cody; nine great-grandchildren; and her dear sister-in-law, Esther Ballard.

Eileen was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Eileen graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1933 and The University of Michigan, School of Music, in 1938. She played violin and viola in the University of Michigan Symphonic Orchestra.  She was initiated into the Sigma Alpha Iota Honorary National Music Sorority. Eileen was a long-time member of University Lutheran Church in East Lansing. Eileen was an avid bridge player into her 90s, and a member of many bridge clubs in Lansing. She loved watching University of Michigan football and basketball games. Her greatest joy was her family, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and hearing news about everyone. Eileen will be remembered for her intelligence, graciousness, caring, and devotion to her family. She was an inspiration to all her family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Monday, March 17, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment at Deepdale Memorial Gardens, Lansing, MI.  Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16th from 1-3 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Funeral Home and 10-11 a.m. March 17th before the funeral service.  For those desiring, memorial donations may be made to the Ferris N. Crawford and Eileen B. Crawford Memorial Scholarship, Northeast Texas Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1307, Mount Pleasant, TX 75456-1307, Attention: Nita May, Director of Development, in honor of Eileen.

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3 Messages to “Eileen Bessie (Icheldinger) Crawford

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Jay and Dianne Johnson
March 14, 2014 at 11:12 pm

We are very sorry for the loss of your mother. She
will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew
and loved her. Our sympathies to the family.

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Jeffrey Cwiek
March 16, 2014 at 7:24 am

Tom & Tina, Were sorry for your loss. Tom, we spoke briefly @ Bluegil Grill about your mother (you brought her to hospital the day before). The last several weeks have been hard on you. We will place her on prayer list @ !st Presbyterian Holt today @ service.

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Janis Dewar
March 16, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Doug, Barbara, Susan and Tom,
The last of the Icheldinger “girls”….they had long and amazing lives. Aunt Eileen, who was also my godmother, lived to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When I sent her a postcard from a trip, she would always respond with a lovely note and fill me on her family. She loved her family so much! On Monday, I hope that you all can celebrate her life and comfort each other with wonderful memories.
Your California cousin, Janis

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