G. Crawford Wiestling

G. Crawford Wiestling, 86 passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2026. 

Born in Chambersburg, PA, he resided in Shippensburg and Woolrich, PA before moving to Minnesota with residences in Burnsville, Prior Lake and Savage, MN. Crawford had a long and highly decorated career in the fire service as a career firefighter in Chambersburg, Fire Chief of West End Fire and Rescue Co in Shippensburg, Director of Emergency Communications in Franklin County, PA, and Director of Public Safety in Lock Haven, PA. Upon relocation to Minnesota, he began a storied career as a forensic fire investigator for several Minneapolis law firms eventually starting his own firm, Investigative & Loss Control Services in Prior Lake, MN. His expertise placed him at the forefront of the investigations involving some of the most significant fire disasters in modern history including the MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas, the Stouffer’s Inn fire in New York, and the industrial disaster in Bhopal, India.

Crawford was active with the International Association of Arson Investigators, including the Minnesota chapter, the National Fire Protection Association, The Yvorra Leadership and Development Group, and most recently the National and Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Foundations.

Crawford is preceded in death by his parents, Bob C. and Margret H. Wiestling. He will be forever missed by his wife of 64 years, Betty, sons Scott (Jeanne) and Wade (Stephany), his brother Steve, and grandchildren, Oscar, Charlie, and Cooper.

Crawford lived an extraordinary life with many memorable encounters with friends and colleagues from his time in the fire service, but most of all we’ll remember his time as husband, father and papa.

A private family service has been held. Memorials can be made to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Association at www.firehero.org in Crawford’s memory.