John Wilson Crawford, 79, of Great Bend, died January 7, 2018, at his home in Great Bend.  He was born October 8, 1938, at Indianapolis, Ind., to Clarence and Gertrude (Davis) Crawford.

John married Roxie Wharton September 3, 1966, at Bison, Kan.  Mr. Crawford, a resident of Great Bend since 1964 coming from Stafford, had operated Traveler's Budget Inn along with his wife, for many years.  He had also been previously employed by Reiter Chevrolet and Mallard Drilling.  He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Great Bend, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and music.  He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 8 years.

Survivors include his wife, Roxie Crawford, of the home; son, Michael Crawford and wife Angela of Fayetteville, Ark.; two daughters, Lana Kephart and husband Pat of Hoisington, and Diana Erwin and husband Mike of Buffalo, Okla.; one brother, Ronald Crawford of Topeka; two sisters, Barbara Schwertfeger and husband Frank of Denver, and Ellene Bodenhamer and husband Richard of Topeka; six grandchildren, Krissie Hutchins, Adam Kephart, Abbie Hurst, Shanna Fleener, Tori Quinby, and Talisha Crawford; and 12 great grandchildren.  He was preceded by one sister-in-law, Mary Crawford.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher.  Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to service time, Wednesday, all at Bryant Funeral Home.  A memorial fund had been established with Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.