Phillip Lee Crane

Phillip Lee Crane of 70 Maple Cir. Waterford, OH age 71 died on January 12, 2020 after a long illness.

He was born on October 3, 1948 in Spencer, WV son of Dwight M. Crane and Madge Looney Crane.  He was raised in Ritchie County, WV, and moved with his parents to Waterford, OH in 1961.  He graduated from Waterford High School in 1967, Marietta College in 1971, and Ohio University in 1984. 

Mr. Crane was a career teacher of 36 years. Beginning at Waterford in 1971-1974 where he also coached three sports, first: varsity baseball  1971-74, Jr. High basketball 1972-74, assistant Jr. High football in 1974, and was a Webloes scout leader  from 1972-74.  He taught for Marietta City Schools from 1975-2007.  Mr. Crane was picked for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1994. He was also picked as the 2003 Ohio DAR Outstanding Teacher in Social Studies.  In 1971 Mr. Crane was one of the original founders of the Lower Muskingum Historical Society.  In 1975-76 he served as the chairperson of the Log House Restoration Committee at the Oliver Tucker Museum.  With the help of many area students and adults, he moved and restored the Starlin log house that is one of the main attractions at the museum today.  He served as president of the society in 1975-76.  He has been an active member of the organization for 49 years.   He belonged to several other historical societies and educational organizations.

Mr. Crane had written numerous articles about historical places and co-authored two books with his mother Madge L. Crane, Most Distinguished Characters on the American Frontier Vol. I and II and sole author of an unfinished genealogical manuscript entitled Isaac Cox, Sr. and Heirs.  He also was a writer of An Eye on the Lower Muskingum for the Marietta Times from 2002-2016 and Morgan County Herald 2019.  He has written numerous stories in the Lower Muskingum’s newsletter Reflections.  He also published an Index to the Reflections in 2014.  His favorite article was published in Goldenseal titled Our Forgotten Civil War Ritchie County’s  School  Crises in the winter issue in  2019.

He was a member of the Waterford Methodist Church.

Phill was preceded in death by his parents Dwight M. and Madge Crane.

He married Teresa Ann Marsee of Reno, OH on October 24, 1986. 

Mr. Crane is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years Teresa Marsee Crane, one Son Dwight Daniel Crane, his brothers William “Bill” Crane wife Sharon of Harrisville, WV, and George Crane and wife Joanne of Georgetown, TX.  Several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at McCurdy Funeral Home in Beverly, Ohio from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Wednesday.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the Waterford United Methodist Church with Rev. Russel White officiating.

Burial will be in the Waterford Cemetery

Thanks to Amedisys Hospice for all the care to Phil and his family during this time.  Many went above and beyond for us.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Amedisys Hospice of Marietta 27855 St. Rt. 7, Marietta, Ohio 45750 or the Lower Muskingum Historical Society, 256 Sampson Road, Waterford, Ohio 45786. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.mccurdyfh.com.

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