James H Crance

James H. Crance, 97, of South Bend, passed away at the Center for Hospice in Mishawaka on August 12.

Jim is survived by Beverly, his wife of 30 years; daughters Judy Dillon and Heidi (Jeff) Deethardt; son Michael (Mary Delino) Crance and stepson Sean (Jenny) Spalding; grandchildren Jennifer (Anthony) Marr, Brian (Cassie Comeau) Dillon, Kelly and Oliver Spalding; great grandchildren Madison and Luke Marr and Buck Dillon; brothers Richard (Margaret) and Steven (Donna) Crance, brother-in-law Larry Gillie; and countless others in Jim and Bev's large extended family who loved and admired him. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lou, sons William and Timothy, brother Thomas, and sister Jenny Lee.

Jim was born in Fort Wayne, oldest child of Harold and Helen Crance. He graduated from Fort Wayne Northside High School, and served from 1951-1953 in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. As Private First Class, Jim was an investigator in the Counter Intelligence Corps, stationed in Munich, Germany. He then served in the Army Reserves until 1958.

He moved his young family to South Bend in the 1950s and worked as a salesman for Peter Eckrich for 39 years. After retiring, he volunteered in Radiology Services for many years at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, where he met Bev. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish.

Jim loved to work crosswords, fish and golf, and was a huge fan of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Jim logged his own hole-in-one in 2011. He was an avid Notre Dame fan, attending basketball and football games for decades. His long life enabled him to witness (and take partial credit for) all but one of ND's six national football titles. Jim also proudly and faithfully followed his (great)grandchildren's athletics. He traveled with family and friends including trips to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon. He and Bev enjoyed boating at Diamond Lake and winters in Florida. He was beyond thrilled to participate with a friend in a Northeast Indiana Honor Flight.

Jim is remembered as a great and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He never knew a stranger and was fondly referred to as "the mayor" by his and Bev's neighbors. Everyone in the family likely has at least one detailed map he drew to get them where they were going. He had a sharp wit to the very end and endured his failing health with dignity.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to Hannah, Dee, and the entire staff at Center for Hospice Care who provided Jim such sweet care in the final weeks of his life.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Palmer Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 16 at Sacred Heart Parish Center, Notre Dame, Indiana. His dear friend Fr. Tom Jones CSC will officiate. Burial will follow at Lindenwood Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Palmer Funeral Homes-Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions in James Crance's name may be made to Logan Center (2505 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN) or Center for Hospice Care (501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN).