James A. Craft

GEORGETOWN - James A. Craft, 69, of Georgetown, passed away at 9:38 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Emergency Room. Jim was born April 15, 1943, in Eugene, Ind. He was the son of Vernon and Nora Murdock Craft. Jim married Jacquita Witherspoon on Sept. 26, 1964, in Georgetown. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Tracy (Sabrina) Craft, of Danville, and Mark (Melissa) Craft, of Georgetown; and two daughters, Annette (John) Stevens, of Danville, and Omekia (Greg) Arford, of Bismarck. Other survivors include three brothers, Bob (Sharon) Craft, of Cayuga, Ind., Frank (the late Shirley) Craft, of Cayuga, Ind., and Dick (Tress) Craft, of Morristown, Tenn.; three sisters, Mildred (the late Tom) Pribble, of Georgetown, Shirley Rudd, of Westville, and Marilyn Dieu, of Georgetown; 11 grandchildren, Aaron, Kayla and Brady Craft, Chelsea, Dawson and Kylyn Craft, Ashley, Jordan and Colten Arford and Jarrett and Ryan Stevens; and three great-grandchildren, Ashton, Weston and Ryder Craft. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Paul and Ervin Craft and three sisters, Irene Craft, Dorothy Lovell, and Virginia Craft. Jim was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a truck driver for Witherspoon Trucking and later was a driver for Aero Transport. He loved watching basketball and baseball. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Fighting Illini fan. He loved playing with his grandchildren and found delight in attending their many activities, such as dance and their numerous sporting events. He also enjoyed playing cards with his family. In recent years Jim spent a lot of time calling bingo games for the Cayuga American Legion Post 263 where he was a member. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Chapel, 200 E. West St. in Georgetown. Officiating will be Pastor Ray Silver. Burial will be in Danville National Cemetery, with military rites provided by Cayuga American Legion Post 263. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at the funeral home. Please join Jim's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.