Paul E. "Gene" Craig Obituary (1931 - 2016)

Paul E. "Gene" Craig, 85, of Oconee, died Thursday, May 19, 2016 in Prairie Rose Health Care Center, Pana. He was born January 9, 1931 in Nokomis to the late Owen Dorothy Luella (Johnson) Craig. Gene graduated from Nokomis High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955. He moved to Oconee from Nokomis in 1963. Gene was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pana; Oconee American Legion; Pana VFW. He retired from Caterpillar on March 1, 1991. He then did farming, which was his love. Gene Craig and Patty Sue Slater were married on October 5, 1963 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pana. She survived in Oconee, along with children: William "Bill" (Karen) White, Longmont, CO; Johnna (Bob) Schloz, Oconee, IL; Mark (Tracy) Craig, Nokomis, IL; Lyle (Amy) Craig, Oconee, IL; 5 grandchildren: Nathan (Sarah) Schloz, Jenny Schloz, Tyson Craig, Brittney (Joseph) Clavin, Allison Craig; 3 great grandchildren: Kirsten, Ashlyn, Bryce Schloz; and sister: Barbara Lebon, Pana, IL. Funeral Information Funeral services will be Monday, May 23, 2016 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pana at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Terrance E. O'Brien officiating. Burial will be in Oconee Mound Cemetery with graveside military rites by Roy Ireland Post #317American Legion, Oconee. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home.