Louis Milton Allen Craven

87, of Hypoluxo Florida passed away on August 27, 2014. Milt was born on October 8, 1926 in Elkhart, Indiana to William & Evalyn Craven and grew up in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1944, where he excelled in Football and Track. Milt served in the Navy during WWII in the Philippines. After the war, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College and business school studying journalism. In 1948 when the Korean War broke out, Milt joined the Army. In 1949 he married Patricia Anne Taylor. While they were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska their first son Bill was born in 1950. He was transferred to Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania where their daughter, Cathy, was born in 1951. After his honorable discharge in 1952, the family relocated to south Florida where he worked for National Airlines. They settled in Lake Worth and belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His second son, Mark, was born in 1955. In 1957 he went to work at B.M. & R.F. Raidle Insurance Agency, which later became Raidle-Cook Insurance. After long hours and hard work, he eventually became the owner. He was very active in the community and affectionately known as Uncle Miltie. He coached the baseball teams in all age groups in the 1950s and 1960s and served as President of the Leagues. Coach Craven along with several friends and volunteers were instrumental in building the baseball fields in the north end of Lake Worth. He also coached the Lake Worth Small and Large Fry Football teams in the 1960s. His players in baseball and football loved and respected him because he was strict but fair. In the late 1960s he became a football official and baseball umpire for the FHAA and PBJC for over 20 years. Many of the players he mentored went on to become lifelong friends. In 1974, he married Betty Heiser. They worked together at Raidle-Cook Insurance until they retired in 1992.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Betty; son Bill (Debbie) Craven; daughter Cathy (Dale) Mullins; grandchildren Melissa (Anthony) Pirchio, Melanie Mullins, Michelle Mullins, Christine (John) Shepard, and Carrie (Tommy) Carroll; great grandchildren Nikolaus, Natalee and Nathan Bush, Vincent, Colbie and Giana Pirchio and Jack and Maren Shepard; step-children Gary (Anita) Heiser, Steven (Victoria) Heiser, Wayne (Donna) Heiser and Sandra (James) Moore; step-grandchildren, Justin, Evan, Lauren, Derek and Shelby Heiser and Dania Stopjik; sister, Pat Fisher of Lake Odessa, Michigan; 3 nieces and 1 nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son Mark Craven and step-grandson Aaron Goshorn.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at Dorsey- E. Earl Smith Funeral Home from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Dorsey E. Earl Smith Funeral Home at 10:00 AM with graveside service including Military Honors to follow immediately after at Pinecrest Cemetery in Lake Worth. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County. www.dorsey-smithmemorygardensfuneralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, Lake Worth, FL.