Sarajoan "Sally" (Pence) Crane

Sarajoan “Sally” Crane, 88, of Litchfield, passed away on Fri., Dec. 13, 2024, at 4:15 a.m. at The Wealshire of Bloomington in Bloomington, MN, where she was loved by all the staff who considered her one of their favorites. They shared sweet stories of how she would try to put them to work organizing files and getting paperwork done. 

Sally was born on Dec. 11, 1936, in Virden, IL, a daughter of Russell Wayne and Elizabeth (Betty) Pence.  Sally graduated from Litchfield Community High School with the class of 1954.  She then attended one year of college at Eastern Illinois University.  Sally later transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for the remaining three years. She graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Sally married Richard Thomas “Tom” Crane, Jr. on March 24, 1957, at the Old House of Sunshine on North State Street in Litchfield.  Following college, Sally taught first and second grades and did some substitute teaching.  She lived in Chicago, Shelbyville, Mattoon, and Eureka, IL, and moved to Indianapolis, IN, in 1968.

Sally worked for 16 years in Indianapolis for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, retiring in 2002 when she moved to Litchfield.  Sally was a member of Union Avenue Christian Church and the Litchfield Women’s Club.  She volunteered at the Route 66 Museum in Litchfield. Sally enjoyed traveling to Germany and throughout the US including Hawaii; she looked forward to vacationing in Branson, MO, every year to see the shows. Sally enjoyed collecting antiques and selling them at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall.

Sally’s husband, Tom, passed away on Sept. 19, 2021.  She is survived by:  1 son, Sgt. Major (SGM) US Army Retired, Richard Thomas (Thalia) Crane, III, of Lamia, Greece; 3 daughters, Laurie Knutson of Bloomington, MN; Sheryl (Michael) George of Peoria, AZ; Susan (John) Byrd of Bloomington, IN; 1 sister, Susan Jean Pence of Chicago, IL; 1 brother, Russell Eugene Pence of Champaign, IL; 10 grandchildren, Peyton (Dustin) Coar; Toryn White (Tim Hickam); Finnegan Byrd; Eric (Rei Liou) Knutson; Ryan (Mandy) Knutson; Emily (Tyler) Thorpe; Richard Thomas Crane IV (fiancée, Nadine Bittel); Steven Crane; Christopher George; Philip (Natalie) George; 10 great-grandchildren, Hadley, Emery, & Maisie Coar; Hadley & Soren Knutson; Mitchell & Elliott Thorpe; Channing & Charleen Crane; Mila Crane.  Sally was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

A memorial service for Sally will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Private entombment will follow. 

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