Craig Cutbirth

Champaign Craig Warren Cutbirth, 73, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at his home in Champaign, IL. He was born on October 25, 1948 in Davenport, IA to Warren Keepers and Virginia Alice (Raabe) Cutbirth. Craig married his beloved wife Beverly Leah Herzog on June 2, 1979 in Oshkosh, WI.

Craig is survived by Bev who recently became of caregiver; sister Chrystal (David) Faltis; nephews Matthew and Brian; his dog Metts and cats Milo and Escobar, and many close friends and former students. He was preceded in death by his parents and a herd of cats and dogs.

Craig earned his Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College, where he debated competitively on the national level. He won many inter-collegiate tournaments and later finished second in the Professional Debate Tournament. He received his Master's degree from Western Illinois University and his PhD from Bowling Green State University. He taught Speech Communication at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, where he also coached debate, then at Bradley University, and finally at Illinois State University, where he served as Director of Forensics and Director of Graduate Studies. He also taught many speech and debate workshops from Wisconsin to Georgia.

Craig was a respected scholar in the fields of political communication and communication criticism. His publications included two textbooks as well as numerous journal articles and papers presented at academic conferences. He served as editor of the Journal of the Illinois Speech and Theater Association, and later received the association's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Discipline. He also served multiple terms on the board of directors of the local Planned Parenthood affiliate.

Following his retirement, he became active in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Illinois, as an instructor, study group leader, enthusiastic student, director, and board chair for two years.

Craig loved Mexican food, American political history, reading, traveling, fishing, and rooting for his beloved Chicago Bears and White Sox.

Memorial visitation will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Champaign, Illinois, 710 N Neil St. Champaign, Illinois 61820. Celebration of life service will follow at 3pm at the funeral home. The celebration will continue afterward at the El Toro Restaurant at 2561 West Springfield Ave. Champaign. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Craigs name to OLLI at Illinois via giving.illinois.edu (search Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Fund 11342234) or by mail (University of Illinois Foundation, P.O. Box 734500, Chicago, IL 60673-4500) with a check payable to University of Illinois Foundation with a note indicating it is to be directed to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Fund (11342234) in memory of Craig Cutbirth.

Please join Craigs family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Memorial Visitation Sunday April 3, 2022 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820 Memorial Service Sunday April 3, 2022 3:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820