Navonne Crandall

Navonne S. Crandall, 92, of Franklin Township, passed away peacefully July 10, 2021 after a short stay at Sarah Reed Skilled Nursing, Erie, PA. Navonne was born September 17, 1928 in State College, PA, the daughter of Gilbert L. and Navonne (Brands) Crossley of Erie.

Navonne attended State College High School, then graduated from Penn State University in 1950 with a degree in Home Economics. She worked for several years as a home economist for Penn State Extension Service in Bloomsburg, PA. In 1952, she married John Richard Crandall of McKean, PA. They remained together for 62 years until the time of his passing in 2014. Together they operated a successful dairy farm in Franklin Township. They were avid Penn State Football and Women’s Volleyball fans, frequently traveling to games. Once retired, they enjoyed visiting family along the east coast and traveled across Canada.

Navonne was an active member of the Erie County Farmer's Association, where she served as secretary and newsletter editor for 37 years. She was a 4-H leader for 25 years, guiding her three daughters and many other girls through countless projects and competitions. She was a great fan of Pirates Baseball and followed the Olympic Games.    She enjoyed sewing, vegetable gardening, bird watching, day trips to Presque Isle and cheering on her son’s tractor pulls at local county fairs. She was remembered as the ‘Best Grandma EVER!” when her grandchildren came to visit. To the end, she had a deep love for an English Springer Spaniel named “Tazzy”, who misses her cookies. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, locally attending McKean UM Church.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Ellsworth Crossley of Maryland in 2002, and his twin, Edward David Crossley of Camp Hill, PA in 2021.

Navonne is survived by four children, Carol (Anthony) Georgelas of Purcellville, VA; Hugh (Sue Babcock) Crandall of Edinboro, PA; Barbara (Bruce) Tummons of Casselbury, FL; and Ellen L. Crandall of Franklin Township, PA. She is also survived by six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Friends and neighbors may call on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 210 Erie Street, Edinboro. Private interment will be held at a later date at Edinboro Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Navonne’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or the Erie Zoo Emergency Fund www.eriezoo.org/donate.