Sixtieth Anniversary

As regular readers of this blog will remember, my father-in-law (Roy Crane) passed away this year on February 19. He died just a few months short of his 84th birthday. Had he lived until this week, he and my mother-in-law (Vera Crane) would have celebrated their 60th anniversary.

They were married in Michigan on August 2, 1947, after my father-in-law had returned from serving in the US Army during World War II. After attending one year at Olivet Nazarene College, he enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He graduated in 1951 and then stayed on a year to get a teaching certificate. My wife Nancy and her sister Darlene were born in Greenville while their folks were living in Greenville.

Roy and Vera returned to Roseville, Michigan, in 1952. There they raised their family of seven children, and Nancy's mom still lives in the same house that the Cranes bought about 45 years ago. When they first moved to that house, it was located along Eleven Mile Road. About 35 years ago, Interstate 696 replaced Eleven Mile Road. The house had to be moved back and then relocated on a new foundation. The westbound service drive for I-696 runs right in front of the house.

We spoke with Mom yesterday, and we reminisced about the many good years that she shared with Dad. We are so glad that she is still with us. We pray that she will be around for years to come.