ILION-Steven Lewis Crane, age 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, September 12, 2021. He had the comfort and support of his loving family at his side. Steve was born on February 5, 1939, in Spokane, WA, son of the late Hugh C. and Edna Platt Crane. He was raised in Minnesota and graduated from Good Thunder High School. He furthered his education at the University of Iowa, where he received his Doctorate Degree. On September 9, 1961, he was united in marriage to the former Lucille Borchert in Saint James, Minnesota. For many years, Doctor Crane taught history and political science at SUNY Canton. The family moved to Ilion in 1982, coming from Canton. He was employed by Thrivent Financial Services until his retirement. He had a true belief in God and was an active member and deacon of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Herkimer. Steve had a strong sense of community. He was a board member for the Herkimer Area Resource Center, the Lutheran Home in Clinton, and Lutheran Men in Mission. He was a volunteer facilitator at MVILR, Utica. In his leisure time, he took great joy in his model tractor collection and belonged to the local model tractor club. He loved to spend time outdoors fishing and traveling with Lucille. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends and family, especially his cherished grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his devoted wife of sixty years, Lucille, a son, Brian Crane of Cape Cod, MA, three daughters, Brenda Crane of Pittsfield, MA, Barbara Winnek and her husband John of Schuylerville, NY, Beth Hatton and her husband Steven of Hebron, MD, a sister, Tami Milbourn and her husband Thomas of Mahtomedi, MN, four grandchildren, Michael Winnek, Christopher Winnek, Elena Crane Cuerda, and Rebecca Rossbach, five nieces, and several cousins. Besides his parents,he was preceded in death by infant sons, Brad and Bruce, and his son-in-law, Joaquin Cuerda (husband of Brenda Crane). The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Saturday from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm in the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Herkimer. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Care in Clinton, or ARC of Herkimer. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.