Name: Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park
Address: Hampton, VA

I am very sorry for your loss.  I worked with Joanne at the Chapel in Grand Forks and new Steve...I am very sad for his passing.  Blessings to you Joanne and Elizabeth

Deepest condolences to the Crane family in your loss of Steve.  I worked with Steve back in the pre-family days in ARIA engineering and he was such a grounded young man even then.  Thank you for sharing the photos of a too-short life, well lived surrounded by family and friends.  
In friendship,
Terri (Thomas) Roberts

I am truly sorry for your loss! Steve's dedication and love for his work and the community showed so vibrantly during the times we interacted together at HAM radio events. He will be very much missed! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers!

I am stunned to hear about Steve's passing. I have wonderful memories of Steve in Dulaney High School Marching Band. I remember him as a gentle, kind soul, extremely bright, a quick wit, charming smile, and--of course--an excellent clarinet player. I also remember his mom and dad and their support of young people in the band.

I played the video posted on this page, and it brought tears to my eyes. I am mostly thankful that Steve had such a full life--all too short but oh so full--a loving, wonderful family, many grand experiences both professionally and personally. Oh - and what a beauty of a daughter. Steve must have been so proud. Joanne - I met you briefly at the last band reunion. As the video said, I know that Steve will live on in your hearts forever. 

How fortunate we are to grieve so deeply - because it means we have loved so much. 

Susan Anders Mazzoni

Joanne and Elizabeth-

I am so sorry to hear of Steve's sudden passing.  I was in the Dulaney HS Marching Band and graduated with him.  It was such a pleasure to catch up and reminisce with him at our 25th class reunion and again at the band reunion in the summer of '07.  I looked through the photo gallery and was reminded how Steve was always pleasant and smiling, polite and friendly.    I remember his parents always quietly willing to lend a hand with the band activities.  He will be remembered fondly by all of his friends in the Dulaney band.

May God's peace comfort you both.

Joanne & Elizabeth,
I very saddened to hear of Steve's passing. I will keep your Family in our Prayers. Steve was a friend from Middle School though High School. The years we play in the band were good times and memories that I will always have. He will surely be missed.

I was sorry to hear of Steve's passing I got to know him some through my sister and her husband while they were still in high school and through marching band and scouting.  Steve often was at my home and he was always a nice guy.  May your family receive peace and grace from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ken Gotsch

Joanne & Elizabeth,
We were saddened by the news of Steve's sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this stressful time. I went to school with Steve and shared laughs and great times in the band while at Dulaney. He was a great person to help brighten the day on many occasions and we will all miss him dearly... our best goes out to you and your extended family...
Mike & Nancy Wirtanen, 
Havre de Grace, MD

Joanne and Elizabeth:
Sorry for your loss; you should have lots of good memories to keep with you forever. I was glad to meet you, Joanne, at the Dulaney High Marching Band reunion a couple of years ago at Pataspco Park near Baltimore.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I was so saddened to hear of your sudden loss. I didn't know your husband/father but can only imagine he was as wonderful as his lovely wife and daughter. You both remain in my prayers. May the Lord bless you with peace and comfort that only He can provide.

Alisa and I were saddened to hear of Steve’s death. Steve and I were fellow ARIA Mission Coordinators.  Steve trained me to take over his duties when he moved on in the mid 1980s.  And so the torch was passed MC to MC over and over form 1975 to 1998. There were 74 ARIA MCs Steve was the 32nd I was the 37th.  As I write this (between an AOS/LOS pass of the Space Station), in the NASA /GRC control room in the early hours of the morning, it brings back memories of those times with Steve in ARIA Control and during flight operations. Steve will be missed but his legacy continues through the lives he touched.

Every day going to and from school, i always look up to the sky and tell Mr. Steve i made it another day. To this day, that speech i gave at the memorial, i still believe Mr. Steve heard it. I love him much ? 
My best wishes to the family

Dear Joanne and Elizabeth,
Terry and I were so saddened to hear of Steve's death.  Joanne, we were remembering when you and Steve got engaged, married, and then the wonderful blessing of Elizabeth.
Our lives are better because you and Steve were in our lives.
Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Joanne and Elizabeth, Patti and I are very far away physically but in our hearts we are right there with you. You are good and faithful friends and we love you very much. So sorry we couldn´t be there for the home going service. We send many hugs and want you to know we are standing with you. Hope to see you sometime soon. John and Patti Chesney, Benalmádena Spain

His fellow amateur radio operators are saddened by Steve's passing, and offer his family our sincere condolences.
Hugh  (Hampton Public Service Team)

Mrs. Crand, I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn this morning of your husband's passing. Steve was so smart, so willing to help and so personable. What a very great and very troubling loss to those of us who had the privilege of working with him. Steve was one of those rare technical wonders. He seemed to know about everything, he was always willing to help and he did so without making you feel stupid. When Steve helped he got involved. He was a genuinely nice person! I'm glad I knew him and shocked that he's gone.

JoAnne and Elizabeth, we're very sorry that Steve is no longer with you (but just for a time). We will miss his smiling face around NCC, always ready to serve wherever he was needed.

Dear Joanne and Elizabeth,
Our entire family was so sad to hear of Steve's sudden passing.  He was always so warm and friendly to all of us.  Even our youngest daughter, Bethany, who perhaps didn't know him as well, said "He was always so nice to me!"  And that's how Steve was to everyone.  He was the type of guy who brings comfort just by knowing he's there.  His friendly face was a staple around New Covenant Church, and we always knew that if we were really in need, Steve would have been there for us.  How comforting it must be to know that he had a deep relationship with the Lord and that you all will be reunited someday.  His life was a testimony.  We will be praying much for you in the weeks to come, that God will hold you close and give you His comfort and peace.
Love,
Robb and Merry Dawson

Joanne -
Steve was the first guy I talked to when I first found out about ARIA (in the old 4950th Test Wing) and when I was finally assigned, Steve's desk was next to mine.  He was always helpful and would always put down what he was doing to answer another of the many (usually dumb) questions I had in those days.  Steve was a good man.

Joanne and Elizabeth,

My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this most difficult time.  I've known Steve when he was a Capt in the Air Force and have work with him once he became a contractor. Steve truly loved life and lived to help others. Steve's dedication to the Air Force, family, and faith made him a very special person and he will surely be missed.    God bless.

Joanne and Elizabeth.
I'm pausing to recall all the great memories we share during Steve's tour at WPAFB as an ARIA MC.
I pray that all the wonderful memories of Steve's many contributions and good works will help provide solace in his loss.
Love and Prayers...

We will remember Steve as a man with a servant's heart.  Always willing to help wherever needed, he served with a smile and words of encouragement to those he met.  He was an example of kindness and Christian love to all of us and we will miss him.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I met Steve during the JEFX 06 exercise at Nellis AFB.  He was extremely busy at the time, but he took time to make sure that I had everything I needed.  His wonderful smile and his can do attitude were an inspiration to the JEFX family.  We were chatting on the phone the other day about how this next exercise was going to be difficult with all of the last minute additions.  We both then laughed and agreed that we would have fun completing the exercise together, just as we had done in past years.  When I return to Nellis AFB in April, I will be lighting candles at the Guardian Angel Cathedral for Steve as well as both of you.  I trully believe Steve is in heaven now helping God with one of his more challenging tasks.  I hope this thought brings both of you some comfort.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I’m so sorry to hear about Steve.  I never have had the chance to meet you but I’ve heard wonderful things about you both.  I’ve worked with Steve for the last 5 years and called him almost daily over the past few years.  I’m deeply saddened to lose such a great co-worker but more importantly to lose such a great friend.  Many people have already mentioned Steve’s selflessness but that really does describe Steve’s dedication to helping those around him.  He always put other people’s problems before his own.  Steve was always willing to help me out in many ways over the years and I’m truly  gracious for all that Steve has done for me and more importantly for getting the chance to meet such a wonderful person.  God bless you both and your family as you go through this difficult time.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
We were so saddened to hear of Steve's death.  Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.  May the Lord sustain you in this difficult time.  Steve was my beloved HT '81 bud.
Elaine and Jeff Baughman

Joanne and  Elizabeth, Tony and I are hurting foryou - Steve was an amazing person and wonderful friend back in the WPAFB days.  Our hearts and prayers are with you.  Terry and  Tony Aretz

Steve was a friend, a father, a classmate, a fellow musician, a fellow Air Force officer, and a man of God.  His legacy will continue with his family and all those that came to know him.  I have many fond memories of college days, having spent 4 years in the same dormitory as Steve.  Although are careers took us to different geographies, Steve settled in my hometown of Hampton. As we miss him dearly, I'm sure that Steve would have us continue his work to be a light to the world, and ambassadors of God's love.

I really enjoyed my experiences with Steve.  He would really do anything for you.  Steve will be missed at the Red Cross, the Hampton Public Service Team and the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Club.  Our thoughts go out to Joanne and Elizabeth.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I am so sorry to hear about Steve.  He was a selfless person and always put others first.  He was a good friend (bud) during our years in the HT's.  Although he is no longer physically with us, his spirit lives on in everything he did and everyone he befriended. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
My heart goes out to you both.  Be assured you are in my prayers often.
I know Steve was a huge support to you physically, emotionally and spiritually, and that he'll be sorely missed.  I always appreciated his cheerful disposition and the way he  enjoyed being of service to others.
May God surprise you with His enabling grace at this difficult time.  I do love you.    
~ Judy Nations,  Hampton, VA

I had the great pleasure to work with Steve in past Air Force exercises and experiments. I will treasure the memories of his professionalism, competency, and good nature each time I think of him. May God bless and watch over his family.

Steve was patient, centered and fun to be around.  He never spoke a derogatory word about anyone and served at New Covenant Church in so many ways (and on so many occasions) that I have for years looked up to him as the quintesenntial example of a servant; one that I could only aspire to emulate.

Joanne
I am so sorry about your loss.  I am praying for you and Elizabeth and asking God to comfort and strengthen you both while giving you His peace and assurance.

Dear Joanne and Elizabeth, I am so sorry for your loss.  Although Steve is in the hands of our Lord now, he will be missed here on earth.  He was always so pleasant to work with and never had a frown on his face.  God bless you and yours and you go through this difficult time.  Marty & Anna Schriebl

Joanne,
I have many fond memories of our days at Va Tech. The two things that I remember most about Steve are his smile and his selflessness.  Steve had a warm caring smile that he shared freely and often. Also, everything he did was with a servants heart - never about himself, always about others.  What an incredible model of Christ's love for us.  Please know that you and Elizabeth are in our prayers.

Steve was one of the nicest, most decent people I have had the pleasure to work with in the 15 years that I knew him. He always had a smile on his face and a positive outlook on life. He will truly be missed in the AF community. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Steve will be greatly missed by all he has touched, I worked with him in the center and found him to be a warm, caring man.  Terribly sorry for your loss.

Joanne and Elizabeth you are so loved and I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. I will be thinking and praying for you through this time. I love You Pen

Joanne,
I have such great memories of our days at Va Tech.  The two things I remember most about Steve are his smile and his selflessness.  I could really never tell what kind of day Steve was having because he always had that same smile - the exact same one that's in the picture you chose.  And through all of the trials and difficulties we went through together in the Cadet Corps and especially in the Band it was never about Steve.  He was absolutely one of the steady influences that kept us all together during those days.  I am so sorry that we lost touch over the years.  Please know that I will keep you and Elizabeth in my prayers.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
It is hard to find words to say to you both about losing Steve, but I know that God is covering you with His Comfort and I have seen many friends coming to help you both out which is a blessing in and of itself.
You both have been in prayers both day and night since that morning.
Our family will always be here to do anything out to help and we will be continually praying for you both.
Love you!!

Joanne
You and your family are in our prayers.  You don't know me but I worked w/your husband in ACC/SC years ago.  But you do know Scott, Danette, Jonathan and Katie very well--they come to you often.  Our thoughts and prayers are w/you all for God's comfort at this time.  Stay in the Psalms.

Steve will be missed.  I served with Steve when he was a Captain assigned to the MAJCOM here at Langley.  I remember he always had a smile on his face.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I am so sorry to hear of Steve's sudden passing...Know that you are in my prayers..

Joanne and Elizabeth,
I am sooooo sad to hear the news. I have such wonderful memories of singing in the chapel 2 choir at WPAFB with Steve, who played base guitar. We all had such a good time praising the Lord. I never realized that Steve and I  had the same birthday, but one year apart--a blessing we never shared.
My prayers are with you during this time---May the Lord provide comfort and care, and surround you with his angels. 
Love and Prayers, Lucie Robillard Albee

Steve was truly a great witness for Christ and a wonderful friend.  We will always remember the fun times serving the homeless together.  Steve was such an example of how to serve the Lord and others.  He will certainly be missed.    Tom and Jan Roberts

OBITUARY

John Steven Crane

May 22, 1959 – February 24, 2010

Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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