Hilson M. Crandall

Crandall, Hilson M., 89, May 9, 2009.  Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home, Crystal River, Fla.  Interment to be held in the St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington, Conn.
Hilson M. Crandall, age 89 of Crystal River, FL, died on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Cedar Creek Assisted Living Facility. He was born May 31, 1919, in Oakfield, Maine to Henry H. and Mildred (Trafton) Crandall.
    Hilson came to Crystal River seven years ago from Spring Hill, where he had lived for 15 years after having lived in the Southington-Meriden, CT area for over 60 years. He was the retired Owner/Operator of Preston's Welding and Machine Works in Southington, CT from 1960 to 1983. A U.S. Army veteran of WWII, Hilson served in Karachi, India (Pakistan) in the China, Burma, India Campaign.
    He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years Mary Faeth Crandall (2/17/2009); son, Paul H. Crandall (1980); and sister, Jean Reynolds (5/1/2009). He is survived by his two daughters, Faeth and husband James Houle of Lecanto, FL and Susan Crandall of Brunswick, ME, one brother, Henry Crandall Jr. of Middlefield, CT; four sisters, Geraldine Godburn of Meriden, CT; Faustina Small of Oakfield, ME; Barbara Parmalee and Donna Butterfield both of Ft. Myers, FL; five grandchildren, Michael Houle, Todd Houle, Nicole Waiksnoris, Julie Williams, and Erik Martin; and nine great-grandchildren.
    A memorial service will be held on May 30, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Mary, Our Queen Church for both Hilson and his wife Mary  with burial immediately following at St. Thomas Cemetary in Southington, CT. The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Citrus County Hospice for their loving care and support during the illnesses of both Mary and Hilson. Private cremation arrangements are under the care of Strickland Funeral Home Crystal River, FL.