Kennard Donald Crabbe, 91, of Nokomis, died at 1:15 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Pana Community Hospital.
A visitation will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis. In keeping with Crabbe’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation.
Mr. Crabbe was born on July 1, 1934, at his family home in Nokomis and was delivered by Dr. C.W. Vaughn. He was the son of Hubert Forrest Crabbe and Ruth Josephine (Cannon) Crabbe. He married Tracy Suzanne German (Friesland) on May 31, 1996, in Vandalia and together they shared many happy years filled with family, laughter, and simple joys.
Mr. Crabbe worked for 35 years as a machine repairman at Caterpillar in Aurora. He was known as a true jack-of-all-trades who could fix or build just about anything. An incredibly talented woodworker, he lovingly crafted many pieces of furniture for family and friends that will continue to be treasured for years to come.
Mr. Crabbe was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Sandwich and enjoyed gospel music, often playing both the guitar and harmonica. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, roller skating and league bowling in Nokomis for many years. Some of his favorite moments were the quiet ones spent sitting on the front porch swing with his wife, Tracy, enjoying a cup of black coffee and a piece of lemon cake.
Mr. Crabbe and his wife also operated a day care together, where he was known for sneaking the children a piece of candy on their way out of the door to school. He was an avid fan of Wheel of Fortune and rarely missed an episode, and he cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears. Above all else, he will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humor, his hardworking nature and the love he had for his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy Crabbe; his children, Kerry (Diana) Crabbe, Laura (Kenny) Gibbs, Gregory (Linda) Crabbe, Kathleen (Tom) Kandel, Jennifer (Quentin) Warren and Timothy (Carla) Crabbe; his stepchildren, Jared (Penny) German, Justin (Colene) German and Kate (Justin) Dudra; 22 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Marian Sanders; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his children, Deborah Sabonis and Ronald Crabbe; and his siblings, Hubert Crabbe, Edward Crabbe, Sidney Crabbe, Charlotte Rowe, Elisabeth Gas, MarthAnn Robertson, Doris Lentz and Raymond Crabbe.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Cancer Association, Nokomis-Witt Ambulance Service or Paws Care of Montgomery County.
Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family with arrangements.
