Dr. David Goodrich Crane entered Heaven's gates on January 11, 2023 to enjoy a birthday celebration with his Lord and Savior. He was 86.
Born on January 11, 1937 in the family home on the southside of Chicago, IL, "Baby David" was the youngest of five children born to Dr. George and Cora Crane.
While he came of age in Chicago, David credited the long summers and annual holidays spent on the family farm in Hillsboro, IN for giving him his education in "horse sense," which served him well throughout his life.
After graduating from high school in Chicago, David joined his siblings — including his "Irish twin" brother and best friend, Dan — at Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he excelled in academics and developed a lifelong love of art. He also enjoyed participating on the track team, swim team, baseball team and football team.
"Ol' 22" may not have gotten much playing time, but he would still regale anybody who would listen with stories of his occasional athletic exploits — including his "no hitter" as a pitcher, when the game got called after three innings due to darkness.
David graduated from Hillsdale in 1958 and went on to medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, graduating in 1962. He did an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and his residency in psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine.
Ever a glutton for intellectual punishment, David also entered law school at Indiana University in 1960, simultaneously juggling night law classes with his medical school duties.
In 1966, David was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a captain and division psychiatrist for the 25th Infantry Division — the Tropic Lightning — in Cu Chi, Vietnam.
That wartime experience reinforced his deep reverence for all who serve in the military, but particularly those who served in Vietnam yet never received the warm homecoming they deserved.
David later instilled that same reverence in his four sons, often taking them to Vietnam veteran reunions as youngsters to give them a glimpse of the sacrifices military members so often endure.
While in Vietnam, David also met Joan Leslee Brockman, who hailed from Portland, OR and was a captain in the Army, serving as a post-op nurse in a field hospital.
Following their return from Vietnam, David and Joan were married on January 19, 1969 at the United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, IN and began their life together in Bloomington, IN, where David served as director of the Monroe County Mental Health Clinic. He also graduated from the IU School of Law that same year.
David later worked as the staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis and served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine — a position he enjoyed for 30 years.
By 1970, he also opened a private practice, with an office in Bloomington and another in Mooresville, IN. A year later, he and Joan moved into a farmhouse atop the rolling hills just west of Martinsville, IN, where they hoped to start a family.
After four devastating miscarriages, the couple found Dr. "Uncle" Bill Howard of Bloomington, who aided in the successful births of the couple's four sons.
During that time, David also had three unsuccessful runs for a U.S. Congressional seat in Indiana's 6th District.
With two brothers already serving as U.S. Representatives from Illinois, David had hoped to join them in D.C. and round out "the Kennedys of the Right," as described by political pundits of the era.
The losses were difficult for David at the time, but in later years, he looked back and credited God's divine plan, which allowed him to stay close to home and intentionally invest in the lives of his sons, along with so many others.
An avid letter writer to friends and family alike, David once wrote to someone who had suffered an election loss in 1983, helping ease the pain and highlighting the lessons he learned in his own experience:
"First of all, you find out who your real friends are, and that's important. Next, you find out what really matters — and that's God and your family. And last but not least, you find out what you're really made of … and that's worth knowing."
In private practice, David's wisdom, wit and "horse sense" approach had a lasting impact in the lives of his patients, and many credit his assistance in helping them navigate some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. He retired in 2016 at the age of 79.
During his career, he also served as an expert witness in a multitude of court proceedings, from criminal cases to custody disputes, earning a reputation as a fair and even-minded "straight shooter" by those in the judicial system. David credited his law degree in helping him often "beat the lawyers at their own tricks," and he was honored to play a part in the court's quest for justice.
He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing in the Rockies and was known to take the family on the occasional cross-country road trip. But at heart, David was a homebody, who enjoyed time in the great outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. Nothing satisfied him more than keeping the wood-burning stove blazing throughout the winter, which required plenty of "sweat equity" from the boys throughout the summer.
A strong proponent of Christian education, David was also instrumental in helping guide Mooresville Christian Academy during its infancy, serving as the chairman of its board for many years.
His belief in the power of knowledge also led David to return to school at the age of 64. Troubled by the dangerous trends arising in the field of bioethics, he earned a master's degree in the discipline at Trinity International University in Chicago.
David was also well known for his "frugal" approach, typified by his longtime obsession with old Volkswagen Beetles — a curse he passed on to his sons in one form or fashion. His final car was an old '91 Toyota Tercel he drove with pride for well over a decade.
He was a devout Christian and faithfully attended John Wesley Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis for the last 53 years.
Apart from his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his savior, David considered the decision to marry Joan as the most important of his life. He often lauded her devotion to God, as well as her many talents and qualities, for sustaining the pivotal role she played in helping raise their four boys, along with helping so many others throughout their nearly 54 years of marriage.
David was preceded in death by his first four children; three brothers - George Crane IV, Philip Crane and Daniel Crane; and his parents.
David leaves behind his wife; four sons; 16 grandchildren; one sister; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for David will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at John Wesley Free Methodist Church, 5900 W. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM, with a service at 5 PM. Because David donated his body to science, a small graveside service will be held at a later date.
Born on January 11, 1937 in the family home on the southside of Chicago, IL, "Baby David" was the youngest of five children born to Dr. George and Cora Crane.
While he came of age in Chicago, David credited the long summers and annual holidays spent on the family farm in Hillsboro, IN for giving him his education in "horse sense," which served him well throughout his life.
After graduating from high school in Chicago, David joined his siblings — including his "Irish twin" brother and best friend, Dan — at Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he excelled in academics and developed a lifelong love of art. He also enjoyed participating on the track team, swim team, baseball team and football team.
"Ol' 22" may not have gotten much playing time, but he would still regale anybody who would listen with stories of his occasional athletic exploits — including his "no hitter" as a pitcher, when the game got called after three innings due to darkness.
David graduated from Hillsdale in 1958 and went on to medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, graduating in 1962. He did an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and his residency in psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine.
Ever a glutton for intellectual punishment, David also entered law school at Indiana University in 1960, simultaneously juggling night law classes with his medical school duties.
In 1966, David was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a captain and division psychiatrist for the 25th Infantry Division — the Tropic Lightning — in Cu Chi, Vietnam.
That wartime experience reinforced his deep reverence for all who serve in the military, but particularly those who served in Vietnam yet never received the warm homecoming they deserved.
David later instilled that same reverence in his four sons, often taking them to Vietnam veteran reunions as youngsters to give them a glimpse of the sacrifices military members so often endure.
While in Vietnam, David also met Joan Leslee Brockman, who hailed from Portland, OR and was a captain in the Army, serving as a post-op nurse in a field hospital.
Following their return from Vietnam, David and Joan were married on January 19, 1969 at the United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, IN and began their life together in Bloomington, IN, where David served as director of the Monroe County Mental Health Clinic. He also graduated from the IU School of Law that same year.
David later worked as the staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis and served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine — a position he enjoyed for 30 years.
By 1970, he also opened a private practice, with an office in Bloomington and another in Mooresville, IN. A year later, he and Joan moved into a farmhouse atop the rolling hills just west of Martinsville, IN, where they hoped to start a family.
After four devastating miscarriages, the couple found Dr. "Uncle" Bill Howard of Bloomington, who aided in the successful births of the couple's four sons.
During that time, David also had three unsuccessful runs for a U.S. Congressional seat in Indiana's 6th District.
With two brothers already serving as U.S. Representatives from Illinois, David had hoped to join them in D.C. and round out "the Kennedys of the Right," as described by political pundits of the era.
The losses were difficult for David at the time, but in later years, he looked back and credited God's divine plan, which allowed him to stay close to home and intentionally invest in the lives of his sons, along with so many others.
An avid letter writer to friends and family alike, David once wrote to someone who had suffered an election loss in 1983, helping ease the pain and highlighting the lessons he learned in his own experience:
"First of all, you find out who your real friends are, and that's important. Next, you find out what really matters — and that's God and your family. And last but not least, you find out what you're really made of … and that's worth knowing."
In private practice, David's wisdom, wit and "horse sense" approach had a lasting impact in the lives of his patients, and many credit his assistance in helping them navigate some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. He retired in 2016 at the age of 79.
During his career, he also served as an expert witness in a multitude of court proceedings, from criminal cases to custody disputes, earning a reputation as a fair and even-minded "straight shooter" by those in the judicial system. David credited his law degree in helping him often "beat the lawyers at their own tricks," and he was honored to play a part in the court's quest for justice.
He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing in the Rockies and was known to take the family on the occasional cross-country road trip. But at heart, David was a homebody, who enjoyed time in the great outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. Nothing satisfied him more than keeping the wood-burning stove blazing throughout the winter, which required plenty of "sweat equity" from the boys throughout the summer.
A strong proponent of Christian education, David was also instrumental in helping guide Mooresville Christian Academy during its infancy, serving as the chairman of its board for many years.
His belief in the power of knowledge also led David to return to school at the age of 64. Troubled by the dangerous trends arising in the field of bioethics, he earned a master's degree in the discipline at Trinity International University in Chicago.
David was also well known for his "frugal" approach, typified by his longtime obsession with old Volkswagen Beetles — a curse he passed on to his sons in one form or fashion. His final car was an old '91 Toyota Tercel he drove with pride for well over a decade.
He was a devout Christian and faithfully attended John Wesley Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis for the last 53 years.
Apart from his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his savior, David considered the decision to marry Joan as the most important of his life. He often lauded her devotion to God, as well as her many talents and qualities, for sustaining the pivotal role she played in helping raise their four boys, along with helping so many others throughout their nearly 54 years of marriage.
David was preceded in death by his first four children; three brothers - George Crane IV, Philip Crane and Daniel Crane; and his parents.
David leaves behind his wife; four sons; 16 grandchildren; one sister; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for David will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at John Wesley Free Methodist Church, 5900 W. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM, with a service at 5 PM. Because David donated his body to science, a small graveside service will be held at a later date.
Dr. David Goodrich Crane entered Heaven's gates on January 11, 2023 to enjoy a birthday celebration with his Lord and Savior. He was 86.
Born on January 11, 1937 in the family home on the southside of Chicago, IL, "Baby David" was the youngest of five children born to Dr. George and Cora Crane.
While he came of age in Chicago, David credited the long summers and annual holidays spent on the family farm in Hillsboro, IN for giving him his education in "horse sense," which served him well throughout his life.
After graduating from high school in Chicago, David joined his siblings — including his "Irish twin" brother and best friend, Dan — at Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he excelled in academics and developed a lifelong love of art. He also enjoyed participating on the track team, swim team, baseball team and football team.
"Ol' 22" may not have gotten much playing time, but he would still regale anybody who would listen with stories of his occasional athletic exploits — including his "no hitter" as a pitcher, when the game got called after three innings due to darkness.
David graduated from Hillsdale in 1958 and went on to medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, graduating in 1962. He did an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and his residency in psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine.
Ever a glutton for intellectual punishment, David also entered law school at Indiana University in 1960, simultaneously juggling night law classes with his medical school duties.
In 1966, David was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a captain and division psychiatrist for the 25th Infantry Division — the Tropic Lightning — in Cu Chi, Vietnam.
That wartime experience reinforced his deep reverence for all who serve in the military, but particularly those who served in Vietnam yet never received the warm homecoming they deserved.
David later instilled that same reverence in his four sons, often taking them to Vietnam veteran reunions as youngsters to give them a glimpse of the sacrifices military members so often endure.
While in Vietnam, David also met Joan Leslee Brockman, who hailed from Portland, OR and was a captain in the Army, serving as a post-op nurse in a field hospital.
Following their return from Vietnam, David and Joan were married on January 19, 1969 at the United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, IN and began their life together in Bloomington, IN, where David served as director of the Monroe County Mental Health Clinic. He also graduated from the IU School of Law that same year.
David later worked as the staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis and served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine — a position he enjoyed for 30 years.
By 1970, he also opened a private practice, with an office in Bloomington and another in Mooresville, IN. A year later, he and Joan moved into a farmhouse atop the rolling hills just west of Martinsville, IN, where they hoped to start a family.
After four devastating miscarriages, the couple found Dr. "Uncle" Bill Howard of Bloomington, who aided in the successful births of the couple's four sons.
During that time, David also had three unsuccessful runs for a U.S. Congressional seat in Indiana's 6th District.
With two brothers already serving as U.S. Representatives from Illinois, David had hoped to join them in D.C. and round out "the Kennedys of the Right," as described by political pundits of the era.
The losses were difficult for David at the time, but in later years, he looked back and credited God's divine plan, which allowed him to stay close to home and intentionally invest in the lives of his sons, along with so many others.
An avid letter writer to friends and family alike, David once wrote to someone who had suffered an election loss in 1983, helping ease the pain and highlighting the lessons he learned in his own experience:
"First of all, you find out who your real friends are, and that's important. Next, you find out what really matters — and that's God and your family. And last but not least, you find out what you're really made of … and that's worth knowing."
In private practice, David's wisdom, wit and "horse sense" approach had a lasting impact in the lives of his patients, and many credit his assistance in helping them navigate some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. He retired in 2016 at the age of 79.
During his career, he also served as an expert witness in a multitude of court proceedings, from criminal cases to custody disputes, earning a reputation as a fair and even-minded "straight shooter" by those in the judicial system. David credited his law degree in helping him often "beat the lawyers at their own tricks," and he was honored to play a part in the court's quest for justice.
He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing in the Rockies and was known to take the family on the occasional cross-country road trip. But at heart, David was a homebody, who enjoyed time in the great outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. Nothing satisfied him more than keeping the wood-burning stove blazing throughout the winter, which required plenty of "sweat equity" from the boys throughout the summer.
A strong proponent of Christian education, David was also instrumental in helping guide Mooresville Christian Academy during its infancy, serving as the chairman of its board for many years.
His belief in the power of knowledge also led David to return to school at the age of 64. Troubled by the dangerous trends arising in the field of bioethics, he earned a master's degree in the discipline at Trinity International University in Chicago.
David was also well known for his "frugal" approach, typified by his longtime obsession with old Volkswagen Beetles — a curse he passed on to his sons in one form or fashion. His final car was an old '91 Toyota Tercel he drove with pride for well over a decade.
He was a devout Christian and faithfully attended John Wesley Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis for the last 53 years.
Apart from his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his savior, David considered the decision to marry Joan as the most important of his life. He often lauded her devotion to God, as well as her many talents and qualities, for sustaining the pivotal role she played in helping raise their four boys, along with helping so many others throughout their nearly 54 years of marriage.
David was preceded in death by his first four children; three brothers - George Crane IV, Philip Crane and Daniel Crane; and his parents.
David leaves behind his wife; four sons; 16 grandchildren; one sister; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for David will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at John Wesley Free Methodist Church, 5900 W. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM, with a service at 5 PM. Because David donated his body to science, a small graveside service will be held at a later date.
Born on January 11, 1937 in the family home on the southside of Chicago, IL, "Baby David" was the youngest of five children born to Dr. George and Cora Crane.
While he came of age in Chicago, David credited the long summers and annual holidays spent on the family farm in Hillsboro, IN for giving him his education in "horse sense," which served him well throughout his life.
After graduating from high school in Chicago, David joined his siblings — including his "Irish twin" brother and best friend, Dan — at Hillsdale College in Michigan, where he excelled in academics and developed a lifelong love of art. He also enjoyed participating on the track team, swim team, baseball team and football team.
"Ol' 22" may not have gotten much playing time, but he would still regale anybody who would listen with stories of his occasional athletic exploits — including his "no hitter" as a pitcher, when the game got called after three innings due to darkness.
David graduated from Hillsdale in 1958 and went on to medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, graduating in 1962. He did an internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and his residency in psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine.
Ever a glutton for intellectual punishment, David also entered law school at Indiana University in 1960, simultaneously juggling night law classes with his medical school duties.
In 1966, David was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a captain and division psychiatrist for the 25th Infantry Division — the Tropic Lightning — in Cu Chi, Vietnam.
That wartime experience reinforced his deep reverence for all who serve in the military, but particularly those who served in Vietnam yet never received the warm homecoming they deserved.
David later instilled that same reverence in his four sons, often taking them to Vietnam veteran reunions as youngsters to give them a glimpse of the sacrifices military members so often endure.
While in Vietnam, David also met Joan Leslee Brockman, who hailed from Portland, OR and was a captain in the Army, serving as a post-op nurse in a field hospital.
Following their return from Vietnam, David and Joan were married on January 19, 1969 at the United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, IN and began their life together in Bloomington, IN, where David served as director of the Monroe County Mental Health Clinic. He also graduated from the IU School of Law that same year.
David later worked as the staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Indianapolis and served as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine — a position he enjoyed for 30 years.
By 1970, he also opened a private practice, with an office in Bloomington and another in Mooresville, IN. A year later, he and Joan moved into a farmhouse atop the rolling hills just west of Martinsville, IN, where they hoped to start a family.
After four devastating miscarriages, the couple found Dr. "Uncle" Bill Howard of Bloomington, who aided in the successful births of the couple's four sons.
During that time, David also had three unsuccessful runs for a U.S. Congressional seat in Indiana's 6th District.
With two brothers already serving as U.S. Representatives from Illinois, David had hoped to join them in D.C. and round out "the Kennedys of the Right," as described by political pundits of the era.
The losses were difficult for David at the time, but in later years, he looked back and credited God's divine plan, which allowed him to stay close to home and intentionally invest in the lives of his sons, along with so many others.
An avid letter writer to friends and family alike, David once wrote to someone who had suffered an election loss in 1983, helping ease the pain and highlighting the lessons he learned in his own experience:
"First of all, you find out who your real friends are, and that's important. Next, you find out what really matters — and that's God and your family. And last but not least, you find out what you're really made of … and that's worth knowing."
In private practice, David's wisdom, wit and "horse sense" approach had a lasting impact in the lives of his patients, and many credit his assistance in helping them navigate some of the most difficult challenges of their lives. He retired in 2016 at the age of 79.
During his career, he also served as an expert witness in a multitude of court proceedings, from criminal cases to custody disputes, earning a reputation as a fair and even-minded "straight shooter" by those in the judicial system. David credited his law degree in helping him often "beat the lawyers at their own tricks," and he was honored to play a part in the court's quest for justice.
He enjoyed water skiing and snow skiing in the Rockies and was known to take the family on the occasional cross-country road trip. But at heart, David was a homebody, who enjoyed time in the great outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. Nothing satisfied him more than keeping the wood-burning stove blazing throughout the winter, which required plenty of "sweat equity" from the boys throughout the summer.
A strong proponent of Christian education, David was also instrumental in helping guide Mooresville Christian Academy during its infancy, serving as the chairman of its board for many years.
His belief in the power of knowledge also led David to return to school at the age of 64. Troubled by the dangerous trends arising in the field of bioethics, he earned a master's degree in the discipline at Trinity International University in Chicago.
David was also well known for his "frugal" approach, typified by his longtime obsession with old Volkswagen Beetles — a curse he passed on to his sons in one form or fashion. His final car was an old '91 Toyota Tercel he drove with pride for well over a decade.
He was a devout Christian and faithfully attended John Wesley Free Methodist Church in Indianapolis for the last 53 years.
Apart from his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his savior, David considered the decision to marry Joan as the most important of his life. He often lauded her devotion to God, as well as her many talents and qualities, for sustaining the pivotal role she played in helping raise their four boys, along with helping so many others throughout their nearly 54 years of marriage.
David was preceded in death by his first four children; three brothers - George Crane IV, Philip Crane and Daniel Crane; and his parents.
David leaves behind his wife; four sons; 16 grandchildren; one sister; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for David will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at John Wesley Free Methodist Church, 5900 W. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation will begin at 2:30 PM, with a service at 5 PM. Because David donated his body to science, a small graveside service will be held at a later date.
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