Michael "Mike" Crank

ELOY - Michael Thomas "Mike" Crank, 63, died in his sleep on March 27, 2019, at his home in Eloy.

Mr. Crank was born on Oct. 11, 1955, to Gerald and Margaret (Irwin) Crank in Gaylord, Michigan. He was the youngest of nine children and graduated from Johannesburg-Lewiston High School in 1973. He was a man of many skills who could never sit still and excelled at various professions. As a young boy he started working at Paul’s Pub, followed by employment as a cook at the Chalet. He worked at a sawmill, gas company, supervised manufacturing plants and started his own businesses, a resort and trucking company. He was also a skilled handyman, completing construction jobs for himself and others his whole life. He had an internal drive matched by few - even after "retiring" in 2018, he never stopped working.

In his younger days, he was an avid hunter, and he enjoyed skiing, shooting pool and spending time with family and friends. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and was always the life of the party. He liked cooking, loved watching westerns, was always working in his yard and enjoyed restoring old cars. He recently refurbished a 1932 Ford Coupe, which he had been entering in car shows. He was known as an honest, hardworking man, devoted to his family and a classic car enthusiast.

He is survived by three adult children, Jessica Hinds, Trevis Crank and Kara Minick; a brother, Grove Sr.; three sisters, Lola, Sandy and Ginny; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Dale and Otto J., and a sister, Sally.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Valley Chapel in charge of arrangements.