John Richard Craddock

He was born in Pontiac, Illinois, on November 4, 1922. He received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor’s Degrees all from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, after serving in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Ruth L. Craddock, in 2017.

In 1958, he came to Ball State Teachers College with his family. Over the years, Dr. Craddock’s administrative duties at Ball State included Director of Adult and Community Education, Director of the Institute of Gerontology, Chairman of the Annual Kirkpatrick Workshop on Aging, Chairman of the Center for Lifelong Education, Consultant to Indiana State Department of Education, and Education Consultant to the Indiana Commission on Aging. His distinguished career in education included writing the plans for the establishment of the Indiana State Division of Adult Education, and serving as the First State Director of Adult Education, therefore becoming known in Indiana as the “Father of Adult Education”.

He was involved in many committees and boards to help his adopted new home, Muncie, such as helping to create LifeStream Services, Inc., and also becoming known as the “Founding Father” of that organization. He was a very modest individual, and one would never know all the national, state, and local organizations he was involved with. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his daughter, Christine D. Craddock of Muncie, his son, John M. Craddock of Muncie, his daughter-in-law, Pamela J. Craddock of Muncie, one grandson, Scott M. Craddock of Muncie, one granddaughter, Cynthia J. Craddock Thompson of Fishers, one son-in-law, Derek Thompson of Fishers, and three great-grandchildren, Sloan Thompson, Lane Thompson, and Kellen Thompson, all of Fishers.

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, there will not be a public memorial or funeral. Elm Ridge Funeral Home has been entrusted with his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to LifeStream Services, Inc., 1701 Pilgrim Boulevard, Yorktown, Indiana 47396.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com.