Obituary of Herbert L. Crandall

Herbert L. "Herb" Crandall, 89, of 4053 Oriental Ave. Bemus Point, NY, passed away at 3:32 p.m. Saturday (August 4, 2012) in the Heritage Green Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility. An area resident for most of his life he was born October 27, 1922 in Dewittville, NY a son of the late George G. and Pearl Casselman Crandall. He was a graduate of Bemus Point Central School and was a 1953 graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport. He also attended Cornell University for extended studies. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from January 14, 1943 to November 21, 1945 during World War II. He obtained the rank of Sergeant and was at Utah Beach in Normandy and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. After graduating from Brockport he owned Crandall and Olson Oil and Gas Station in Bemus Point for several years. Before his retirement he was the general science, earth science and health teacher for the Bemus Point Central School System for 23 years. While teaching at Maple Grove Jr. Senior High School he coached the varsity baseball team and helped with the football team and the girls basketball team. Herb also served as the Town Justice for the Town of Ellery for twelve years and was the Town of Ellery Supervisor for two years. He joined the Bemus Point United Methodist Church in 1936 and through the years served on the Administration Board as well as numerous other committees and sang in the church choir for many years. He was a charter member of the Bemus Point Post 557, Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Commander for four years and was a member of the former American Legion Post 0947. Herb was a member of the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department for 65 years serving in many capacities over the years. Surviving are his wife the former Beverly Eckwahl whom he married October 25, 1947, five children Holley (Richard) Bland, Janelle (Scott) Lindstrom, Lisa (Michael) Steffen, Martin (Mary) Crandall all of Bemus Point, Michele (Michael) Meaney of Sykesville, MD, eleven grandchildren, Ross and Ramsey Bland, Alyssa and Andrew Lindstrom, Bryce and Brett Steffen, Liam and Emily Crandall, Caitlin, Calvin and Craig Meaney and three great grandchildren. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by an infant son Jeffrey Kent Crandall, four sisters, Magdalene Dietzel, Olive Louise Starks, Geneva Kelley, Violet Bloomquist and two brothers, Orville Crandall and William Crandall. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Bemus Point United Methodist Church. The Rev. Douglas Kibbe will officiate. Burial will be in the Bemus Point Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Bemus Point United Methodist Church, 4954 Bemus-Ellery Rd. Bemus Point, NY 14712 or to the Bemus Point Fire Department, 13 Alburtus Ave. Bemus Point NY14712