Merle Richard Craner

Merle Richard Craner was born March 12, 1930, in Jarbidge, Nevada to Lyle and Hilda Craner and died October 24, 2023, in Cheney, Washington. Merle went to elementary school in Benewah, Idaho, and finished Jr. and Sr. High School in St. Maries. After graduating from St. Maries High School in 1948, Merle joined the U.S. Army and was deployed to Japan where he supported the Korean war effort. When his Dad Lyle Craner was killed in a logging accident in the woods around St. Maries, Merle was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to St. Maries to help the family. He eventually enrolled and graduated from the University of Idaho where he earned a degree in education. In 1955, Merle married Barbara Case, also from St. Maries. Throughout their life together, Merle’s public-school teaching and administration career took them to many places throughout the Idaho panhandle and eastern Washington, and as far away as Maryland and Singapore. They settled in Cheney, Washington in 1978. After retiring from the public school system and being married for 35 years, Barbara fell ill with cancer and died in 1990. After Barbara’s death, Merle kept himself busy by doing handyman work around Cheney. Merle met Joanne Charlton while painting her house in Cheney. They struck up a friendship and were married in late 1991. Merle and Joanne were married for 31 years until Joanne died in 2022. Music followed Merle his whole life. He learned hymns at an early age, as his mother, Hilda, sang as she worked around the house. In high school, he was the lead in Mert’s Melody Masters, playing for school dances and community events in St. Maries, Idaho. He aspired to play the trumpet for the military band and actually traveled by train to Washington D.C. as a teen to try out. He was surprised that they didn’t invite him to join. (He couldn’t read music but played by ear!) He left a legacy of love . . . love of music and love of God. He brightened every family gathering with a sing-along and prayers. He lived his faith and was an active member in local churches wherever he lived. Merle was preceded in death by his brothers Jack, Bill, Aamodt, and Fred as well as his older sisters Marie; Barbara Case Craner, and Joanne Boyes Charlton Craner; and his oldest daughter Nancy. He is survived by his sister Petrena Lawson; his children Daniel Craner (Margaret), Edward Craner (Dianna), and Karen Craner; and his stepchildren John Charlton, Brian Charlton, and Gail Benner (Bill). Additionally, he leaves behind 14 grandchildren: David, Bethany, Joy, John, Jim, Emily, Jacob, Nicholas, Nathan, Nicolas, April, Amanda, John Jr., and Allison as well as numerous great-grandchildren. Burial will be at the Spangle Cemetery on Friday, November 10th at 10:00 A.M. It will be followed by a Memorial Service at the Cheney Church of the Nazarene at 1:00 pm, 338 W. Betz Road, Cheney, WA.

Merle Richard Craner

March 12, 1930 - October 24, 2023