Esther Crandall

Esther Frances Hildebrand Crandall passed away peacefully July 29, 2024, at the home of her daughter in Washington, IL with family at her bedside. Esther was born on July 8, 1927, to Maud Kelly Hildebrand and Carroll DeWitt Hildebrand in Greencastle, IN.

Esther's mother taught her piano, and at the age of 10 Esther began traveling to Indianapolis for harp lessons from one of the most accomplished harpists of the time. Esther continued to play throughout her life with occasional orchestras as well as at churches and weddings.

Esther's father was a theology and philosophy professor at DePauw University in Greencastle. He often invited his students into his home to meet his family. One such student was Kenneth Crandall. Kenneth and Esther fell in love and were married in 1949, shortly after Esther's graduation from DePauw. They had been married for nearly 70 years when he passed away in 2018.

Ken became an ordained Methodist minister, and he and Esther served churches in South Meriden CT, as well as Wilmington, Tinley Park, Libertyville, Roselle, and Lansing IL. Esther was always heavily involved with their churches: singing in the choir, leading children's choirs, and - of course - playing the harp. Outside the home, Esther worked as a substitute teacher, a librarian and learning center educator, a dental office manager, and an insurance specialist for a head injury clinic organization.

After retirement, Ken and Esther were able to travel extensively in the USA, Europe, Canada, South America, and even Australia. Home became the farm near Rockford, IL, that Ken had grown up on, and Esther was involved there in garden clubs and women's groups, helping to establish a local history museum. Esther was also heavily involved with Rock Valley College Studio Theatre, playing a role in 22 Agatha Christie plays. Another of Esther's passions was the time spent with the Appalachia Service Project, helping to build and improve homes for the impoverished of Appalachia. She spent many summer weeks swinging hammers, often with her grandchildren and celebrated her 80th birthday on her last ASP trip.

Esther is survived by her sister, Ruth Crandall (they married cousins!) of Monroe WI; her children David (& Terese "Terri") Crandall of Lindenhurst IL; Stephen (& Virginia "Ginni") Crandall of Inverness FL; Thomas (& Tamera "Tami") "Holland" Crandall of Lake Geneva WI; and Mary "Molly" (& Caius) Jennison of Washington IL. Eleven children called her Grandma, and another 7 Great Grandma. Esther was also surrounded by a loving extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many family friends who thought of her as a second mom. Esther had the gift of talking to anyone, anywhere, and making them feel accepted and appreciated. She often said that strangers were only friends you haven't met yet. Her kindness and warmth touched so many lives, and it will continue to spread and grow through generations to come.

There will be two Celebrations of Life: Friday, August 23, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Zambesi Lodge, Glen Oak Zoo in Peoria, IL (one of Esther's favorite places to visit). Parking is available at the Luthy Botanical Garden and Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 12 pm - 3 pm at the riverfront Log Lodge, adjacent to the Rock River Valley Swedish American YMCA in Rockford IL. Parking is available at the YMCA. Memorials can be made to the Appalachia Service Project at https://asphome.org/give/. Mason-White Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence to her family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.