John R. Craig
John R. Craig, 69, a well-known Chicora community resident and longtime Chicora fireman, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes Wednesday morning at his home.
John was born Nov. 28, 1946, in Butler. He was the oldest son of Ruth M. Holben Craig of Chicora and the late Robert E. Craig.
He was a 1964 graduate of Karns City High School. John served in the National Guard. He was employed for more than 35 years at Armco in Butler as supervisor of plant protection and industrial risk management and security.
John was a life member of the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department. He had served the department as chief, president and on the board of directors. He was an EMT for many years and was a very active member of the fire department's ambulance service.
He was a leader, mentor and good friend to many in fire and emergency medical services. The Chicora community had a special place in John's heart.
John was a longtime member of the Chicora United Methodist Church, the Argyle Lodge 540 F&AM and the Consistory Valley of New Castle.
John was an avid hunter and NASCAR fan and was a life member of the Happy Hunters Club in Fenelton, the North Butler Hunting and Fishing Club, the NRA, the Chicora Moose Lodge, the Marienville Veteran's Club, the Marienville Rod and Gun Club and the Forest County Sportsmen's Club.
He looked forward to going to his and his brother's hunting camp in Marienville, JEDS Lodge and The Bear Trap Camp. John was a Pittsburgh sports fan, especially of the Pittsburgh Pirates. First and foremost, John was a family man who was proud of his grandchildren, always attending their sporting events.
In addition to his mother, John is survived by his wife, Betty L. McCune Craig, who he married April 15, 1969, in Punxsutawney.
Also surviving are two children, Beth A. Ekis and her husband, Darrin, of Karns City and Robert P. Craig and his husband, John Hoyman, of Lyndora; two grandchildren, Trevor W. Ekis and Taylor A. Ekis of Karns City and the “granddogs”; six siblings, Dennis L. Craig and his wife, Cindy, Edward E. Craig and his wife, Patricia, Frederic J. Craig and his wife, Cathy, Janis S. Reeves and her husband, William, all of Chicora, Brenda A. Mazzotta and her husband, Adrian, of Mars and Tyra R. Francis and her husband, Jeff, of Chicora; his sisters-in-law, Mary Rottman and her husband, Charles, of Karns City and Dolly Pistorius and her companion, Sam McCracken, of Chicora; his brother-in-law, Charlie McCune and his wife, Debbie, of Karns City; and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many good friends.
CRAIG — Friends of John R. Craig, who died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chicora United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Lewis, church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.The Chicora Fire Department will conduct a memorial service at 2:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.The Argyle Lodge 540 F&AM will conduct a memorial service for its departed brother at 5:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service, P.O. Box F, Chicora PA 16025 or to the Chicora United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 502, Chicora PA 16025.For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.
