Barbara Elaine Trader, daughter of Arthur (1904-1966) and Leota M. (Holtz) (1905-1990) Trader, was born 30 June 1926 in Michigan.  She graduated from Okemos High School in 1944.

Barbara married Fay J. Candell 5 May 1944 in East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  Fay, son of Reuben and Agness (Wardinski) Crandell, was born 27 July 1923 Genesee County, Michigan. 

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 19 May 1944

MRS. FAY J. CRANDELL

Mr. and Mrs. Byron Taylor of Okemos announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Barbara Trader, to Pfc. Fay J. Crandell, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Crandell of Clio.  The event took place May 5 in the chapel of Peoples church, East Lansing, with Rev. H. G. Gaige officiating.  Miss Elizabeth Trader sister of the bride, and Robert Crandell, brother of the  bridegroom, were attendants.

Pvt. 1st Class Crandell enlisted 28 November 1942 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.  He  was assigned to  the 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. ”The 508th was responsible for the Southwest portion of the 82d Airborne Division sector in Normandy. Their primary targets were bridges over the Douve River, located at Brienville and Beuzeville-la-Bastille. The 508th continued their ferocious fight as infantrymen for 33 days after landing at Normandy. They had choked off reinforcements for the Axis forces defending the French coast. On 13 July 1944, the Red Devils returned to England after suffering 1,061 casualties out of 2,056 paratroopers of which 307 were Killed-In-Action (KIA).

At approximately 1330 hours on 17 September 1944, the Red Devils jumped into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. Although initial resistance was light, heavy fighting ensued for days. The 508th established and maintained a defensive position along the main line of resistance which measured over twelve thousand yards in length against heavy German resistance. The regiment then seized Bridge #10 and prevented its destruction by destroying the apparatus for the demolition of the Nijmegen Bridge across the Waal River. This action contributed to the successful completion of the 82nd Airborne's mission.

Meanwhile, the regiment also seized, occupied, and defended the Berg EN Dalkamp Hill mass terrain which controlled the Groesbeek-Nijmegen area. They cut Highway K, preventing the movement of enemy reserves, or escape of enemy along this important international route.

Finally, the regiment withstood and repulsed the major enemy efforts at Wyler and Beek to penetrate the Division position and assault units to the north. While accomplishing these missions, the regiment captured 483 prisoners. During this period of combat the regiment suffered 139 KIA, 479 WIA, and 178 MIA. No Red Devils were captured by the enemy." (The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Unit History. Taken from website of the 82nd Airborne)

It was in Operation Market Garden that Fay Crandell lost his life 30 September 1944.  He was interred the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.  Fay received a Purple Heart.

Barbara on 1 January 1948 in Okemos wed fellow OHS alumni Paul Doran Hartsuff.  Paul, born 4 May 1924 in Stockbridge, Ingham County, was a Navy veteran of World War II.  Barbara and Paul celebrated 58 years of marriage before Paul died 5 April 2006.  Barbara died 29 June 2016 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.

Unknown source:

Hartsuff, Barbara Elaine

6/30/1926 - 6/29/2016 Grand Rapids, MI Barbara Elaine Hartsuff (Crandall), 90, Grand Rapids, MI, died Wednesday, June 29, 2016, with her daughters by her side. Barbara was born on June 30, 1926, in Okemos, MI. In 1945 she graduated from Rochelle Beauty Academy, East Lansing, MI. In 1948, she married Paul D. Hartsuff, from East Lansing, MI. Her life-long friend, Sarah Jane Minkler, from Hadley, MI, was her maid of honor. During her 33-year career as a salon owner, Barbara practiced her craft in three Wyoming, MI, locations. Barbara was honored by her grand-daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Vanderjadgt, following her into the field of cosmetology. She was preceded in death by her step-father, Byron Taylor, her mother, Leota M. Taylor, and her older sister, Elizabeth Eaton. She will be missed by her daughters, Falinda Sue (Robert) Geerling, and Kalista Ann Castine; her younger sister, Hilda (Durwood) Hawkins, from East Lansing, MI; her grand-children, Carolyn Anna (Aaron) Goryl; Benjamin Paul Geerling; Kevin Robert Geerling; Sarah Elizabeth (Douglas) Vanderjagt; Ramon Paul (Laura) Castine; her great-grand-children, Aidan Joseph and Payton Renee Goryl; and many nieces and nephews. Private services were held.