Darlene Lucille Crandell's Obituary
Darlene Lucille Crandell. 86, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully under the care of Cornerstone Hospice on January 10, 2026. Darlene was born on March 3, 1939 in Hagerstown, MD, to her parents; Earl and Lucretia (Myers) Harbaugh.
Darlene was born and raised in Maryland and married the love of her life, Ellis Crandell, in 1958. The couple relocated to the Bay area of California, where they lived for 21 years while they raised their family. Following California, they lived in Texas for a short time and settled in Kansas City, MO, for about 14 years before retiring to Florida in 2003. Darlene worked for over 30 years as an Administrative Assistant.
Darlene was a volunteer with The Villages Hospital Auxiliary for a few years and enjoyed playing golf with her husband and cards with her friends.
Family was very important to Darlene and she was immensely proud of all of her children. She will be missed dearly and remembered fondly by her family for her great sense of humor and by her friends, she was a dear friend to many.
Darlene is survived by her children; Douglas Crandell of The Villages, FL, Jeffrey (Kevin) Crandell of Rancho Mirage, CA and Jo Ellen (Hal) Braun of Eustis, FL, as well as a grandson; J.D. (Ally) Braun and precious great granddaughter, Sloane, all of Minneapolis, MN.
Darlene is preceded in passing by her loving husband of 58 years, Ellis Crandell, a son, Ellis Crandell Jr., and two siblings; Nelson Harbaugh and Joan Forsyth.
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