Larry Edsel Crane, 88, of Newark, died Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Altercare North in Newark. He was born November 10, 1937 in Newark to the late Guilford and Alvena (Wortsel) Crane.

Larry was a 1956 graduate of Newark High School and a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving honorably from 1958 to 1962. He was a longtime and faithful member of St. John's Church of Christ. Larry dedicated his entire career to Columbia Gas of Ohio, retiring in 1992 as district manager. After many years helping his uncle Floyd on the family farm, he fulfilled his own dream of farming and took great pride in working his land with his beloved Ford 8N tractor. He had a deep appreciation for the night sky, often admiring the stars and visible comets. Larry was truly a people person who never met a stranger, cherishing conversations and connections with everyone he met.

He is survived by his children, Susan (Bill) Redmond and Michael (Christina) Crane; grandchildren, Todd (Lindsay) Wingate, Jennifer (Walt) Knox and Samantha Crane; great grandchildren, Mya and Remington; sister, Wilma Stradley; and brother, Dale (Cindy) Crane.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Crane; and sisters, Maxine, Irene and Grace.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Larry to the American Cancer Society  cancer.org/donate

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 4-7 pm and Friday, January 23, 2026 from 10-11 am at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark, where the funeral service will follow visitation at 11:00 am with Rev. Dr. Stephen Swisher officiating. Burial will follow the service at Cedar Hill Cemetery where military honors will be presented by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com