Joseph "Joe" Lee Cran, 36, passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021, at his home in Grinnell, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Cox-Smith Funeral Home.  Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, July 2, 2021, at Cox-Smith Funeral Home, located at 1 ^st Avenue and Prairie Street. Memorials in Joe's name may be sent in care of Cox-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, PO Box 163, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

Joe was born on August 17, 1984, to Patricia "Patty" Swesey and James "Jim" Cran in Des Moines, Iowa. Joe's family moved to various towns in Iowa.  His family eventually settled down and made Grinnell their home. Joe was a hard worker and took pride in everything he did.  He spent 15 years as a CNA, CMA, and RA at Mayflower Homes in Grinnell and one year at Windsor Manor in Grinnell.  He had a real talent for making people, especially the residents, laugh and smile.

He saw the beauty in everything.  He loved singing (especially 90's boy bands), dancing and just being goofy. His smile was infectious and would light up the room.  Joe loved his fiancée, Emily, and spent many nights sitting on the porch talking with her and their son Brayden.  He enjoyed fishing, bonfires, cooking, trying new recipes, and time with his friends and family. Joe also enjoyed reminiscing about childhood memories with his sister Andrea and FaceTiming with his niece, Brielle.

There are so many adjectives that could describe Joe.  He was one of the most kind-hearted, compassionate, dedicated, adventurous, giving, goofy, hard-working and loving young man.

If love alone could have kept Joe here, he would have lived for an eternity, but despite all of the good in his life and his excitement for the future, he battled the daily struggles related to mental health.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Patty Swesey of Grinnell; his father, Jim Cran of Fairmont, Minnesota; his fiancée, Emily Chedester and their son, Brayden Good, both of Grinnell; his sister, Andrea (Jeremy) Ballard and their daughter, Brielle, of Plattsburgh, New York.  Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; his cousin, Keith, some dear friends and many residents he helped care for that were dear to his heart.

If you or someone you know needs to talk, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 800-273-8255 or Iowa Crisis line Call 1-855-581-8111.