Scott Lee Cranford

He was born on February 10, 1957, in Peoria, Ill., to Virgil and Shirley Klockenga Cranford. Scott married Beverly Rupert on August 17, 1985. Bev survives.

Also surviving are their three children: Allison (Phillip) Mott of Hanna City, Kaleigh (Bryan) Norris of Hanna City, and Jeffrey of Norwood; three grandchildren: Eliza Mott, Leo Mott, and Euphemia Norris; five siblings: Danny (Suzanne) Cranford of Peoria Heights, Mark (Connie) Cranford of East Peoria, Mary (Kevin) Scott of Edelstein, Bill (Jill) Cranford of Ottawa, and Gary Cranford of Peoria Heights.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents.

Scott grew up in Peoria Heights, where he worked for Pabst Blue Ribbon following high school graduation until the brewery closed in 1982. He then worked for Alcoa until its closing, followed by a local lumber company, before he retired in 2013.

For the past decade, Scott focused on his grandchildren, helping to raise them as if they were his own. He cherished his time with his family. They didn’t need any plans; what was important was being together.

Scott also leaves behind two furry sidekicks, his dog Buddy and his cat Wally. Everybody in Norwood knew Scott and Buddy. The pair made their rounds throughout town.

Scott was known for his love of the outdoors – fishing, gardening, taking care of the family property, building bonfires, riding his tractor, and conducting hayrack rides around Norwood. He also loved the annual Cranford weenie roast, which he hosted every October for 17 years.

A couple nights a week, you could find Scott hanging out with the neighborhood guys in one of their garages, catching up over a cold beer. Scott frequently lent a hand to anyone in the neighborhood who needed it, whether it was mowing the grass or helping to move something heavy.

He was known for being both soft-hearted and sassy. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and had choice words for nearly any situation. Scott was also a talented woodworker and especially enjoyed building toy cars and trucks. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, an avid Pabst Blue Ribbon collector and a lover of classic rock and country music.

If you knew Scott, you knew he was a fighter. This was true all the way to the end. He fought a good fight and didn’t give up hope.

Visitation for Scott for will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. Services will be immediately following, and burial will be in Parkview Cemetery. A luncheon for friends and family will follow services.

Memorials may be made to The Camp Rainbow Foundation, a summer camp for children with childhood cancer at camprainbow.com or 108 Matrix Commons Drive, Fenton, MO, 63026.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Davison-Fulton.com for the Cranford family.