Russell K. Crane

Russell K. Crane “Mooney” Salina, Utah - Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Russell K. “Mooney” Crane, age 44, was taken from this world to cowboy eternally in greener pastures on January 3, 2004. His sudden departure has deeply saddened the hearts of all whose lives he touched, and he touched the lives of many with his positive smile, sparkling, cheerful eyes and a tease. He will be missed by all. Russell was born July 27, 1959 in Salina, Utah, a son of Ronald Kenneth and Una Leila Hampton Crane. He attended North Sevier High School, then married CarloeAnne Benner on September 23, 1978 in Salina. They were blessed with three daughters and they later divorced. Russell then married his true love and best friend, Dalores Jean Colby on December 23, 1989 in Salina. With this marriage, he opened his heart and became “Dad” to three more children. Russell was a hard worker and always willing to serve others. He put on his “happy hat” and went to work at the coal mine in 1977, where he brightened so many of his co-workers’ daily lives. In January 1993 he began his many hours of service in the Salina Fire Department. When the alarm sounded, Russell would run by foot, if he couldn’t drive, and was always the first suited for service. He served as Fire Captain five various years. Russell like his second job of being a real cowboy. He enjoyed most of the hours he spent farming, ranching and riding horses. When he wasn’t busy living it, he like to settle in to a good old western novel. Russell leaves behind his loving wife, Dalores, of Salina; children: Jamie Ray Crane of St. George; Heidi Jean Hill of Salina; James Don (Cassie Otten) Crane of Salina; April Nichole (Tom) Clark of Elsinore; Valerie McKell (Sam) Hyde of Salina; Kristy Lee (Kelly VanDyke) Crane of Salina; 9 grandchildren; parents of Salina; brothers and sister: Craig Ronald (Melonie) Crane of Tennessee; Brent Lee (Traci) Crane of California; Melanie Dawn (Justin) Olsen of Gunnison; he was preceded in death by his grandparents: Charles and Una Hampton, Kenneth and Eunice Crane. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 West 400 North, in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. and again Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah. Russell now rides those greener pastures, watching over his very special loved ones and keeping the campfire kindled until they arrive to share its warmth once more.