DePaul Athletics lost one of its legendary leaders with the passing of Hall of Fame Honoree Stephen Crane. Crane was a great leader on DePaul's track squad from 1948-50. To the man, the alumni of his era laud him as a great leader.One said, "You see, since he had been in the service he was quite a bit older the rest of us. We really respected him."
An article in the 1950 DePaul alumni magazine also revealed that he was a leader on campus, especially in terms of building school spirit. The article said that Crane had rewritten the school fight song in hopes to inspire more school spirit.
Crane attended the 2008 DePaul Relays and was inducted into the 2009 class of the DePaul Athletic Hall of Fame. DePaul will celebrate his life at the 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Mass on January 31 along with fellow Hall of Fame inductee Sam Odishoo who passed away earlier this year.
Obituary from the Chicago Tribune
Stephen Samuel Crane, Major General (Ret), adored husband of Marley Crane and Lee Elizabeth Crane, who predeceased him in 1997, died on Tuesday, Sept. 15, he leaves behind his beloved sons, Stephen (Gayle) and Michael, who predeceased him in 2009, and daughter Susan (Brian) Snediker; deeply cared stepchildren, Arthur (Nan) Close, Jeffrey (Carolyn) Close, Commander Megan Close and Elizabeth (Jon) Dierksheide; nine marvelous grandsons, Christopher, Michael, Tommy, Will, Jimmy and Jack Crane and Brian John and Sean Snediker; eight dear step-grandchildren, Captain Garrett (Nancy) Close, Caitlin Close, Jake and Cody Close andCaroline, Julia, Linnea and Christian Dierksheide; and step great-granddaughter, Shannon Close.
He graduated from DePaul University where he was not only an outstanding scholar, but an incredible athlete.
He was inducted into the DePaul Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
He became a member of the National Guard, rising through the ranks to become a Major General and the Commander of six thousand National Guard Troops in Illinois.
He served in the European Theater during WWII. He was a Knight Grand Cross in the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
His medals, his honors throughout his life are beyond the pale.
His devotion and loyalty to his country, his family and his God will never be forgotten.
Add to that smile that could light up not just a room, but the world.
He never stopped being, never stopped caring, never stopped working, never stopped loving, never stopped giving.
Visitation Friday 11:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 1:00 p.m. at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden St. Winnetka.
A private burial will be held on Saturday at Fort Sheridan Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana, 59004, would be deeply appreciated.
Info., 847-675-1990 or URL=http://www.donnellanfuneral.com.\ Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries\
