Stanley Wayne Crawford Jr.

Stanley Wayne Crawford Jr., 72, of Elizabethtown, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025, at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Stan enjoyed a simple life as a man on his own - both independent and deeply connected to his family. His brothers and sisters helped care for him and always included - him in family gatherings. Over the years, he became affectionately known as "Stan the Man." A friendly and familiar figure in Elizabethtown, Stan walked the streets of his hometown for more than 50 years, never accepting a ride, always saying he needed the exercise. He frequented the local grocery, bank, clothing stores and fast food restaurants, and along the way made many friends. One local business even honored his loyalty with a plaque for being a customer for more than 40 years, given upon learning of his terminal diagnosis. His community rallied around him, offering prayers and support.

A lifelong, faithful Catholic, Stan was a member of several local parishes throughout his life - beginning with St. Clare in childhood, then St. Ambrose, and finally St. James for the past 50 years. He always arrived early to church to sit in the same pew and rarely missed a Sunday. Stan found joy in life's simple pleasures - he loved TV, especially The Grand Ole Opry, Gunsmoke, and old Westerns, music, game shows like Wheel of Fortune and visiting casinos for family fun.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Collie and Dorothy Brown Crawford; a stillborn sibling, Lou Crawford; his two brothers, Norman Crawford and David Crawford; a sister-in-law, LaVerne Crawford; two nephews, Norman Crawford Jr. and Jimmy Crawford; a niece, Lisa Crawford; twin sons (premature) of Jimmy and Gayle Crawford; and his great-nephew, Collin Crawford.

Survivors include his three brothers, James (Jane) Crawford, Larry (Mary Lou) Crawford and John (Janice) Crawford; two sisters, Bonnie Crawford Errico and Anna (Mickey) Crawford Lara; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Bellwood neighbors.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at Brown Funeral Home, 306 College Street in Elizabethtown. Burial follows in St. Clare Cemetery.

Visitation for Stanley is from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

To honor Stanley's memory, donations may be made to any of the three churches he attended throughout his life.