Leonard “Lennie” Craft, Sr.
Leonard “Lennie” Craft, Sr., age 84, of rural Liberty died on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 10:50 a.m. in Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Mt. Sterling, IL. He was born on October 19, 1925 in Adams County, IL, a son of Frank T. & Eliza G. (Sparks) Craft. He married Esther D. Blank on October 19, 1947 in Liberty Christian Church. She preceded him in death on October 10, 1998. From this union came four children.
Mr. Craft was a 1943 graduate of Liberty High School & a 1940 chartered member of Liberty F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America).
During his lifetime, Mr. Craft farmed, raised cattle & hogs, assisted his brother in a sawmill operation, was employed by Sparks & Wiewel, Christner Construction, & Arthur Gieker, fixed many tires for local folks & dabbled in scrap metal. He enjoyed visiting with his buddies, playing cards, & trips to the gaming boats. He helped others in a bind when he could. He was of the Christian faith. Leonard was a conservative man, but never afraid to voice his opinion.
Survivors include:
HIS CHILDREN: Barbara K. (Roger) Graff of Clayton, IL, Betty D. Craft, Leonard F. (Susan) Craft, Jr., & Carol L. Craft all of rural Liberty, IL;
FIVE GRANDCHILDREN: James K. Graff of rural La Prairie, IL, Brenda K. Graff of Clayton, IL, Amy M. Graff of Ft. Irwin, CA, Leonard F. Craft, III “Trey” & Koby W. E. Craft, both of rural Liberty, IL;
SISTER-IN-LAW: Bertha Jean Craft of Quincy, IL.
Several nieces, nephews, & cousins also survive.
Mr. Craft was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, & a brother, Earl R. Craft.
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy by Rev. Karl Flentje. Interment will be in Quincy Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Cass/Schuyler Area Hospice, or to the Liberty Foundation for F.F.A. Scholarship Education. Pallbearers will be Larry Arnold, Kenneth Balzer, Gary Gieker, Leon Lentz, Gary Anderson, & Eric DeWitt. www.dukerandhaugh.com
Leonard & Susan and children:
We were sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He will be missed. Our deepest sympathy to all of you and you are remembered in our prayers this weekend. Take care always.
My sympathy to your family. Leonard was my mother’s first cousin. Her name was Irma Craft Manard, daughter of Lewis and Mamie Craft. I went to Liberty High School and remember your family well. May God be with you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Waneta
Barb and family Sorry for the loss of Leonard he will be missed.I enjoyed taking care of him.And as the Obit reads he was never afraid to voice his opinion on anything.He was a very nice man.He reminded so much of my father.He is in heaven now watching over all of you.Just know that he is no longer suffering with the pain.my stepdad went threw it as well.