Michael Clay Crawford was called to be with his Savior on February 20, 2007 at the age of 58.  He was born in Adrian, Michigan, but during his years at MLS he resided in Ann Arbor with his parents and sister, Bonnie.  After graduating with the 1967 class at MLS, Mike attended and graduated from Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisc. and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon.  He served in the public ministry of the Wisconsin Synod in Brainerd, Minnesota; Baltimore, Maryland; Fond du lac, Wisconsin; and lastly as a chaplain at The Lutheran Home in Caledonia, Minnesota.
Among the many blessings the Lord allowed him to see, the greatest ones were associated with his family.  He married Joan Neitzel on June 3, 1972 at the chapel on Northwestern College campus.  God blessed them in many ways through their marriage, including their eight children: Jennifer, Katherine, Joel, Sarah, Nicolas, Julia, Eliza, and Micah.  These blessings also include five grandchildren.
Mike was perhaps most known at MLS for his love of theatre and his annual work in the spring performances.  His love of the Lord and the ministry of His Church showed itself in the various congregations He was called to serve.  However, Mike’s life was humbled by the challenges which bi-polar depression inflicted on him.  As one can imagine this troubling illness had its impact on the work to which he was devoted and particularly to the family that he loved.  Never were the words “At rest with the Lord…” more appropriate than at the end of his life in this world.  His fellow classmate and friend, Doug Hartley, was privileged to officiate at his funeral in Caledonia.  Joan continues to live there and his children are scattered around, mainly in Wisconsin and neighboring states.

Michael was born on December 29, 1948 and passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2007.