Deborah L. Crankshaw

Deborah Lee “Deb” Crankshaw, age 56, of Belding passed away at Corewell Health, Butterworth Hospital, on Sunday, August 6, 2023, following a brave battle with cancer.   Deb was born in Pheonix, Arizona and graduated from Pheonix area schools.  She possessed a servant’s heart and spent much of her adult life caring for others. For many years Deb provided in-home health care to those in need. Following her relocation to Belding, she recognized a gap in service to young adults in the area and developed a program to provide fun, supervised activities for area young adults to attend and enjoy called Club Night.  As part of that process, she founded a non-profit agency called Community Activity Learning Services, commonly referred to as C.A.L.S., which was named after a dear, friend and mentor of hers. Approximately ten years ago she founded a thrift store, which was housed in the Belding Methodist Church which helped support community members and projects, including backpacks full of supplies for children at the YMCA, clothing and necessities for families in need, The Alpha Women’s Center, and Family Promise program, YMCA Shelter House, Hope Unexpected, Pregnancy Resource Center and others including families who may have experienced a tragedy or accident.   Over the years the projects and benefactors of her efforts were many.   Deb had a strong personality and an enduring drive to see a project through to completion, loved her family fiercely and gave everything she had to anyone who was ever in need. In her spare time she enjoyed camping a stroll through wildflowers, searching for pretty rocks and any other outdoor activity.  and She was a member of Family Life Center Church of God in Belding.

Deb leaves her dear family to mourn her loss and cherish her memory, including children, Roseanna Crankshaw of California, Angel (Steven) Lundy of Louisville, Kentucky and Kasandra Crankshaw of Belding, Michigan; grandchildren Kristina Crankshaw and Cameron Davis with one more due in November; dear friends who she considered brothers, Tim (Jane) Kesl and Lawrence Waite both of Belding; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Van Horn and Melba Gray and several siblings.

Cremation rites are being accorded and the family is still planning Life Celebration details. Those wishing to express sympathy are welcomed to consider a memorial contribution in her memory to Family Life Center Church of God or Club Night, 12613 – 3 Mile Road, Lowell, Michigan 49331. For additional information, please contact the funeral home at (616) 794-1300.