Obituaries

December 13, 1955 to May 21, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Bradley “Brad” Neal Crawford, 67, of Winamac, passed away at 2:50 a.m., Sunday, May 21, at his home in Winamac. 

He was born Dec. 13, 1955 to John and Florence Crawford in Logansport. He was a1974 graduate of Winamac Community High School and attended Franklin College. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1982. On May 30, 2021, he married his best friend, Beth, in a small chapel on a beloved fishing lake in northern Minnesota.

Dr. Brad Crawford

Survivors include daughter, Florence “Kelsey” Crawford; wife, Beth Ruff-Crawford; brother, Keven Crawford, Winamac; sister, Tina (Steve) Knebel, Winamac; Beth’s sons, Jake (Jenna) Ruff of Rochester and Josh (Hayley) Ruff of Fishers; Grandson Calvin Abraham Ruff of Fishers;  Mother-in-law, Barbara Halleck, of Winamac; brother-in-law, Tom (Tammy) Halleck of Star City; sisters-in-law, Jennifer (Dan) Knebel of Winamac and Cyndi (Joe) Garnett, Westfield, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and father in law, Thomas Halleck, Sr.

Dr. Crawford was an accomplished athlete in both high school and college. While at Franklin College, he was part of the track & field and football teams. He earned numerous awards and continues to hold several records. He was an All-American football player and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Nevertheless, he stood out as the epitome of humility, a man one was honored to encounter. His ultimate dream, however, was to return to his hometown to pursue his profession of general dentistry and enjoy his passion for hunting and fishing. He was an avid outdoorsman and frequently enjoyed fishing locally on Lake Maxinkuckee. In recent years, he and Beth also enjoyed spending time on several lakes in northern Minnesota. He was an accomplished fisherman and loved catching walleye, perch, and bluegill. Despite his numerous accomplishments, his greatest pride and joy was his baby, Kelsey. His role as a father was the one which gave him the most joy, and he often spoke of how proud he was of the young woman that Kelsey had become. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend and will be deeply missed. 

A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, May 26, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Winamac. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery West in Pulaski.

Memorial donations can be made to the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, PO Box 187, Culver, Indiana 46511

Dr. Crawford’s online guestbook and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Rans Funeral Homes, Royal Center.