Capitola Daron

Capitola “Cappy” (Myers) Crawford Daron, 102, of Dowagiac, passed on to her heavenly home on February 7, 2018 at home with her loving family by her side. There will be a Celebration of Life at 12:30 pm on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI 49047 with Pastor Jeff Oliver, Pastor Larry Settle, Pastor Stacey Wilder, and grandson Pastor Justin Daron officiating. Visitation with the family will precede the service time from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in Cappy’s name may be made to Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Rd., Cassopolis, MI 49031 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Cappy was born on November 26, 1915 in Bridgman, MI to Philip Myers and Ethel (Dillavou) Myers. She was one of six children including her three brothers Douglas, Lowell and Bo (Donald) and her two sisters Donnabelle (Myers) Dodd and Madelyn (Myers) Fletcher. When Cappy was nine months old the family moved to Dowagiac, MI. She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1935 and then began work in the office of Hunter Nursery in Dowagiac. On January 31, 1942, Cappy was married to Ward Crawford and became step-mother to Jack Crawford. Ward enlisted in the Navy in May 1942 and was in the Sea Bees in Guadalcanal. Cappy continued her work at Hunter’s until May 1943 when she joined Ward at Camp Parks, Oakland, CA. In 1945, with Ward’s Navy discharge, the couple returned to Dowagiac. There Ward built a home on Keene Avenue close to Cappy’s family. They were there until 1955 when they moved to a new house Ward built on Marcellus Highway in Dowagiac and Cappy continued to reside in this home until her passing. In 1948 Cappy began a lengthy employment at James Heddon & Sons. She started by painting fishing lures and held positions of increasing responsibility until her retirement in 1984 as Personnel Manager. From 1986 to 2004 Cappy provided home care for elderly or infirmed persons. She was often older than those she served and she enjoyed 18 years of rewarding experiences in this field. A daughter, Nan Marie (Crawford) Meyer, was born to Cappy and Ward in August 1945 while they lived on Keene Avenue. Ward Crawford passed away in September 1959 when Nan was 14 years of age. At that time and forever Cappy and her daughter became closer and spent much time together. Whenever Nan had a “sleep-over” or a party, Cappy was part of the group. In recent years Cappy hosted Nan’s high school friends over reunion weekends. In 1963 Cappy was married to John Daron and became step-mother to his children Mike, Kathryn and Rita. From 1985 until her passing, Cappy lived alone in the Marcellus Highway home. She kept up the large house and yard and remained fully involved in all of her life activities. She and Nan travelled extensively in this country and in Europe. Since 1968 she was a devoted member of Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis, MI, always attending worship services and the ladies’ luncheons. She had a strong Christian faith and demonstrated this faith in her love of all people. Cappy had a special name and was a special lady. She was always a hard worker, energetic, generous, alert and caring for others. She continued welcoming her step-children and their children to the point of wanting to travel many miles to visit them when she was over 100 years old. She was like a second mom and grandma to her nieces and nephew and their children. She frequently visited friends and acquaintances in nursing homes. At her 100th birthday celebration in her church in Cassopolis, Cappy sat erect, totally attuned to the events, and greeted by name and talked with each of the nearly 120 people who stood in line to congratulate her. For over three hours Cappy was captivated by her friends and well-wishers. Cappy loved to play cards – poker, solitaire and any cards game. She liked bingo and going to casinos. She was especially fond of some country music and proud to have met and had a photo of herself with Daniel O’Donnell. She loved cooking and preparing meals for others. She adored her daughter and son-in-law, Augie Meyer. She showed a loving heart in all of life. Cappy will be very much missed by all her family and many friends and acquaintances. Capitola is survived by her daughter, Nan (August) Meyer; her sister, Madelyn Fletcher; many nieces and nephews and step-children. She is pre-deceased by her parents; her three brothers; one sister; her first husband, Ward Crawford; her step-son, Jack Crawford; her second husband, John Daron; and her step-son, Michael Daron.