[Repeal The 17th]

That is correct.
Citizens vote for electors who then cast votes for the president.
Such as it ever was.

[Golfinsocal]

If the winning candidate were to die after election day (November 8, 2016) but before the Electoral College meets would this circumstance trigger a major Constitutional crisis that would need to be resolved by Congress and the Supreme Court?

Who might get the Presidental appointment in such a case?

VP is only appointed if the electoral vote has been counted.