Photo courtesy of Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth
Apr 5, 1937 - Feb 3, 2026
My deepest condolences to the Crawford Family. Howard was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. He loved his family dearly. Sending you all love, strength, and prayers during this difficult time.
Towana Davis
February 12, 2026 | Chicago, IL | Friend
Tim, My Deepest Sympathy to you and your family with the passing of your Dad. Keeping you all in my prayers. May God's peace give you all comfort during this time. Sincerely James Schneirla
James Schneirla
February 09, 2026 | Chesapeake, VA | Classmate
My deepest sympathy to the family. I'm so very sorry for the loss of Howard. I remember seeing him at many a game. I've recently had shoulder reversal surgery so I'm slowed down for awhile. Remember, "those we love can never be more than a thought away, for as long as there's a memory they live in our hearts to stay."
Barbara Doerr
February 07, 2026 | Frankenmuth, MI | Acquaintance
Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s peace and comfort surround you during this time.
Mark & MonicaMarshall
Monica Marshall
February 06, 2026 | Clio, MI | Friend
Kelly and family, we are so incredibly sorry to hear about your loss. He is in heaven with your mother now and resting peacefully. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melinda and Billy Budde
February 05, 2026 | Lockport, IL | Friend
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Abby Geiersbach
February 05, 2026 | Essexville, MI
Tim,
Sorry to see about the passing of your father. I enjoyed talking to him at different ball games. I was always a fan of Notre Dame because of being my dad's team growing up. My loyalty to ND was strong, especially while you were there. MI. was my team as my boys all went there, but I knew how much Coach differed in that respect, but we had some fun with that (sort of) a few times. May he rest in peace with the Lord. My condolences to you and the family. Prayers and God's...
Tom Stasik
February 04, 2026 | Frankenmuth, MI | Friend
Howard Crawford, 88, of Frankenmuth, MI, entered Heaven on February 3, 2026.
The son of the late Howard and Margaret Crawford, Howard was born in Detroit, MI. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Sue, as well as a daughter-in-law Lisa. He and “Sue” raised their four children: Terry (Michelle) of Grand Blanc, MI; Todd (Aurora, OH); Tim (Frankenmuth), and Kelly (Lombard, IL). He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Davis, and Evan, whom he loved and adored dearly.
A graduate of Ithaca High School in 1955, Howard was an avid fan and witnessed in person all five Yellowjacket state championships at Ford Field. Howard attended Purdue University where he met Sue, and they wed on November 26, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue, he taught and coached at St. Peter and Paul in Saginaw with the legendary Smokey Boyd. After briefly coaching there, he gained the nickname “Coach”. His many nieces and nephews call him “Uncle Coach”, and even Sue called him “Coach.” After his teaching career, he transitioned into the seed business and was first hired by Frutchey Bean Co. He ended up being a partner at Stanton Seed & Supply and later Big Acre Stores.
In his spare time, he loved sports and attending not only his children’s sports games, but games all over. He allegedly holds the record for most high school basketball games attended in a lifetime. As a native Detroiter, he’s been faithfully loyal to the Lions, who have been rebuilding since 1957. Even as a child, he attended many games at Briggs Stadium and was a lifetime Detroit Tiger fan. He loved Notre Dame and was a huge Fighting Irish fan, and if Purdue wasn’t playing, his favorite Big Ten team was Michigan State. Also, his third favorite team was whoever was playing Michigan. He enjoyed shooting the breeze with his buddies and having a Miller Lite at Whiskey Dix.
Both his mother and his wife were strongly influential in his Catholic beliefs and strong faith. His family was one of the founders of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. Even when he no longer had the ability to attend mass in person, he faithfully watched online admiring Father Patrick’s inspiring homilies.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 958 E. Tuscola Rd., Frankenmuth, Michigan. Fr. Patrick Jankowiak will officiate. Howard’s family will receive visitors at Blessed Trinity on Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. There will be a Vigil Service on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the church. The family requests in lieu of flowers consider a donation in Howard’s memory to The Lisa Foundation or The Blessed Trinity Catholic Church Endowment Fund.
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