Obituary of Richard Craft

Richard L. "Dick" Craft, 63, of Waukegan, died on Thursday, January 3, 2008, at Hines V.A. Hospital in Maywood. Dick was born October 17, 1944, in Akron, Ohio and married Carole Samuelian on April 17, 1965, in Providence, R.I. He graduated from Ellet High School in Akron, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While in school he was a member of the Ellet YMCA Boys Club. Dick was a wrestling instructor and also competed nationally in trampoline and was awarded many medals.He served with the United States Navy for 14 ½ years on aircraft carriers, submarines, and swift boats. Dick was a Viet Nam War veteran and a Company Commander(Quartermaster 1st Class) at Great Lakes Naval Base. He was a member of VFW Post 1293 and American Legion Post 2910. Dick was an avid car buff. Survivors include his wife of 42 years Carole Craft; daughter, Charlene (Scott) Miller of Beach Park, IL; grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis, and Chase Miller; and numerous cousins and aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his mother, Cora E. Craft. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 10::30 a.m., at Spirit of Life Church, 1222 Lorelei Dr., Zion . Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park, Libertyville. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Spirit of Life Church.