Earl Charles Craig Jr.

Earl Charles Craig Jr., 98, of Normal, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Advocate BroMenn Hospital, Normal. His funeral service will be at East Lawn Funeral Home on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. Family and friends are welcome. A private visitation will be held prior to the service. Burial will follow the service in East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be his son, Steven Craig; his grandsons, Andrew and Evan Craig; his granddaughters’ husbands, Shawn Taylor, Jason Polin, and Tom Schenk. Honorary pallbearer, his son Gary Craig.

Earl was born June 7, 1920, in Bloomington. He was the first child of Earl Sr. and Marjorie (Montgomery) Craig.

He married Marilyn Stone on November 8, 1947, eight months after meeting her on a blind date. They shared 70 years together. He is survived by his brother, James (Alyce Carver) Craig; his children, Gary Craig, Steven (Lori) Craig, and Lori Reed. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Debbie (Shawn) Taylor, Kristi (Jason) Polin, Andrew Craig, Haley (Tom) Schenk, Evan and Jordan Craig; four great-grandchildren, Sophia and Charlie Polin, Sasha Taylor, and Anna Schenk; his daughter-in-law- Karen Craig; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his son Earl C. Craig III, his sisters Dorothy Daws and Hazel Cammack, his brothers Wallace Craig, Robert Swiger, and William Craig.

Earl graduated from Bloomington High School. He was a WW II Veteran serving in the Army from 11/14/41- 1/22/46. He served in the Philippines and attained the rank of Company 1st Sergeant.

Earl retired from The Pantagraph on October 1, 1983, after 45 years of service. He retired from LabCorp after 26 years of service at the age of 95.

Earl’s family meant the world to him. We were so blessed to have all these years with him. We will love and miss him forever and always.