Dean R Crater

Dean R. Crater, 84, of Centre Hall passed away at home on Saturday, March 27, 2021. He was born on January 17, 1937 in Spring Mills to the late James O. “Ollie” and Kathryn J (Gentzel) Crater. On March 27, 1971 in Millheim, he married the love of his life, Janet V. Gramley, who preceded him in death on December 7, 2017. 

Dean worked on the farms at Penn State University, retiring in 1991, after 35+ years of service. He was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Centre Hall and was a faithful servant of his Lord and he is surely dancing and reuniting with Janet on the day of their 50th anniversary.  

Dean was a member of the Centre Hall Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones award, an active member of the Centre Hall Ambulance Club and fire companies of both Centre Hall and Spring Mills years ago. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, Penn State and Steelers football games, and watching the birds gather at their feeders outside his windows. He was a collector of 1/32 scale John Deere models and looked forward to attending the Grange Fair each year. He was a man of honesty, reliability, generous, and hardworking. He was a man of character and loved to laugh. His ability to tell you exactly how things were without upsetting you or being offensive was extraordinary. He was always thinking of others. He will be loved and forever missed by many.

Dean is survived by his two daughters, Mindy S. Chambers and her husband, Frank, of Pottsville and Vicki J. Crater of State College. 

Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters. 

A visitation will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Centre Hall on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from 6-8pm. Funeral Services will the held at the church on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 10am with Rev Rebecca Horn and Rev Russell Sauerwein officiating. Dean will be laid to rest privately beside his beloved wife at the Reformed & Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall.

Masks will be required at all services and social distancing in encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church, PO Box 331, Centre Hall, PA 16828.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.