Ethel (Lainhart) Crane

Ethel Lainhart Crane

89, was born January 19, 1936, in Estill County, Kentucky and left this world to join her heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Middletown Hospice after a short illness.

She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Sister, and Aunt to a host of family members. Ethel was also of the Pentecostal faith and enjoyed gathering with her church family.  She retired from Walter F Stevenson as a seamstress.  She enjoyed quilting and loved giving those special quilts as gifts. She was also an avid gardener and treasured canning vegetables and grapes and making sure anyone that wanted canned veggies or jelly had plenty, making candy at Christmas and giving those as gifts along with pointers on how to can and passing recipes on to the next generation.  Ethel and Bill made frequent road trips to Kentucky to decorate gravesites at Memorial Day and visiting friends and family during those trips.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sanford and Donia Willis Lainhart and Steve and Mary Alice Ballinger Crane; her husband and the love of her life, Steve “Speedy” Crane; and son, James Crane; her brother, Sanford Lainhart Jr.; along with sisters-in-law, Bessie Susan Whittamore, Azalee Whittamore, Jewel Evans, Beulah Brock, and Eula Mae Combs; two brothers-in-law; Bro. Charles Whittamore and William Albert Crane.

Ethel is survived by her son, Bill Crane; brother, Jerry Lainhart; sister-in-law, Wilma Lainhart; and brother-in-law, James "J.B." Crane (Jean).  Ethel also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends and family as well as extended family members too numerous to mention.  She loved each and every single one with no difference.  She was a true gem to know and have in our lives and will be greatly missed by those who knew her or were.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, August 19 from 2-4PM at PREBLE MEMORY GARDENS FUNERAL CENTER, West Alexandria, Ohio with the funeral service begin at 4PM.  Ethel will be laid to rest beside her husband, Steve “Speedy,” in Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery.