Francis Harrel Craig

Francis Harrel Craig, Ph.D., age 79 of Effingham and formerly of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2000 at Prairie View Care Center of Charleston. Memorial services celebrating his life were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 2, 2000 at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston with Reverend Bill Boaz officiating.
Francis was born March 17, 1921 in Elkville, the son of John William and Bessie (Hurst) Craig. He married Margaret Bishop in St. Charles, Missouri on June 21, 1943.
Survivors include longtime companion and special friend Shirley Stannard of Effingham; two sons, Jeff Craig and his wife Jodi and Dennis Craig, all of Charleston; two daughters, Vicki Huddleston and her husband Alan and Cindy Craig, all of Charleston; four grandchildren, Tony Craig and his wife Monica, Carrie Ward and Cassi Moody, all of Charleston and Andy Craig and his wife Lisa of Belleville; four great grandchildren, Catie Craig and Benjamin Craig of Belleville and Vincent Craig and Dru Nicole Howell of Charleston; one brother, Eugene Craig of Bloomington and one sister, Ruth Wiley of Sparta.
He was preceded by his parents, four brothers, Othel Craig, William Craig, Joe Craig and Clarence Craig and three sisters, May Wilkerson, Edith Brayshaw and Edna Gegel.
While living in Charleston, Francis attended the First Baptist Church. He was a Veteran, having served in World War II as a pilot and flight instructor with the United States Marine Corp. He received his Bachelors and Doctorate from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He began his educational career as Principal at the West Side School in Effingham. He then taught at the Buzzard Lab School in Charleston, and later became the Student Teacher Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University. Following his formal retirement, he taught in Taiwan. His endeavors, however, were not limited to education; he was a former Partner in Craigs Video and prior owner of the Curtis Mathis Store in Effingham. Francis enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, family outings and camping. He will be missed by his family and his dog, Tiger.
Memorials in honor of Francis may be made to the Charleston Shop with a Cop Program, in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920
