Gene R. Crawford, 87, formerly of Streator passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa.

  Funeral Services will be at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Solon-Telford Funeral Home in Streator.

  Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Solon-Telford Funeral Home in Streator.

  Burial will be in Phillips Cemetery, Streator.

  Born November 9, 1937, he was the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Cox) Crawford.  He married Carol L. Voigts on March 16, 1960 in Streator.  

  He is survived by daughters, Debbie Parker of Louden, Tennessee, Claire (Ken) Rosenson of Eden, Utah and Jayne (Stephen) Nashold of Mendota; 10 grandchildren, Bill (Alicia) Walker, Max (Caroline) McLaughlin, Arran and Amanda Parker, Lauren, Lucas, Caden and Nolan Smeds, Tylor (Erica) Cottingham and Lexi (Ben) Carretto; 7 great-grandchildren, Logan, Laurel, Cheyenne, Bowen, Remi, Harper and Kendall; brother Gary (Barb) Crawford of Libertyville, IL and sister-in-law Carol Crawford of Streator.

  He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother Thomas Crawford, a sister, Joanne Beavers, a brother-in-law, John Beavers and a daughter, Tracy, in infancy.

  Born and raised in Streator, he graduated from Streator High School in the class of 1955.                                                

  He served in the United States Navy for 4 years, stationed in Guam, Japan and Taiwan.  After his service, he returned to Streator, married Carol and worked over 30 years for GTE Corp., until his retirement.

  After retiring, he and Carol loved to travel to visit family and friends.  He liked to go antiquing and attend Blue Grass Festivals.  He also enjoyed sailing and working with stained glass.

  He was a devoted father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by his loving family.  

  Memorials may be directed to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the First United Methodist Church, in Streator, IL.  

  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com