Wayland Crane

Wayland Craig Crane, age 91, formerly of Richfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah. He was born May 3, 1932, in Salina, a son of Glen Allred and Lera Curtis Crane. He was the youngest of eight children.

At the age of 15, he got a job at the Salina Airport cleaning hangers, etc. He would ride his bicycle to work. In exchange for pay, he took flying lessons. At 16 years old he was the youngest Utah pilot!

He graduated from North Sevier High School, Class of 1950. He married Patricia Herring on June 2, 1952. They were married for 69 years before her passing September 20, 2021. They had three children: Craig, Laurie and Kimberly.

He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Korean Conflict for two years.

Wayland was a hard worker. He worked as a Power Plant Operator at Kennecott Copper in McGill, Nevada for 20years until they closed down in 1983. They then returned to Richfield, and he worked as an operator at USG in Sigurd until his retirement.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding 4-wheelers and he rode his bicycle many, many miles all over in his later years.

Wayland is survived by his children: Craig Crane of Overton, Nevada; Laurie and Paul Anderson of Mesquite, Nevada; Kimberly and Michael Hanson of Bountiful; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings: Glen Allen and Neva Crane; Lois Jean and George Fejes; Betty and Roy Mickelson; Chad Crane; Maynard and Ulla Crane; Don and Francis Crane and infant sister, Dortha Crane.

The family would like to thank Dixie Hospice for their great care the last month. Also a special thanks to Roger and Natalie Winn for the many, many years of being a neighbor to our parents and helping them. Thanks to Randy and Marie Hansen, and President Brent Baxter of the LDS Ivins Branch.

Also, we appreciate and are grateful to all the staff of Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins. Dad loved it there. He enjoyed teasing the nursing staff and visiting the other veterans. As a “Final Farewell” the staff and residents at SUVH lined the hall as Dad passed, covered in the flag. Military all saluted, non-military put their hands over their hearts. A perfect send off.

Dad took a piece of our hearts with him. He is loved and will be greatly missed, but we are so grateful he is back home in heaven with our Mom and his family. Love you, Dad!

Wayland always had a deep love for our country and never passed a flag without saluting.

Graveside services for Wayland will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the Richfield City Cemetery. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield, Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the graveside services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Wayland's obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial with military honors accorded by the V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Richfield City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES LIVE STREAM

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