Robert C Craig

Robert C Craig, 89, of Sioux City died Saturday, March 21, 2009, of natural causes.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Wesley United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Michelle Williamson and Tess Panamarow officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. led by the Rev. Michelle Williamson, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Robert Craig was born July 30, 1919, in Salix, Iowa, the son of John and Keturah (Holdcroft) Craig. Robert attended Owego Elementary School. He graduated from Sloan (Iowa) High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the Signal Corps. He participated in three African campaigns, two Italian campaigns and the German campaign. During his service to his country, he received a citation from the president of France for being a part of France's liberation. He was also awarded seven Bronze Stars and a Bronze Star arrowhead, along with many other decorations.

He married Donnabelle McNutt on April 14, 1950, in Salix. To this union seven children were born.

Robert worked for many years at Payless Cashway Lumber as a yard salesman.

He was a member of Whitfield United Methodist Church.

Robert was involved with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 47 years. He was a life member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a member of Boys of '68 and 40/8.

He was an avid league bowler and handyman, and will be fondly remembered for his large garden. He loved to dance and was a member of the Soo Puffer Square Dancers.

Survivors include his wife, Donnabelle Craig of Sioux City; seven children, Marian (Bob) Larson of Sioux City, Michael (Susan) Craig of Bentonville, Ark., Bruce Craig of Sioux City, Brian (Kathy) Craig of Sioux City, Michelle (Lee) Williamson of Sioux City, Shawn (Jill) Craig of South Sioux City and Sharon (Brian) Holmes of Lake Forrest, Calif.; 15 grandchildren, Deborah (Brian), Daniel, Karen (Stacey), Lisa (Tracy), Christopher (Wendy), Melanie (Matthew), Stephanie (Brian), BJ (Lindsay), Jason, Aaron, Samantha (Erick), Craig, Allen, William and Keturah; 10 great-grandchildren, Rose, Marina, India, Jacob, Jolie, Madisyn, Kaitlyn, Camryn, Kaden and Drake; a brother, Thomas (Emma) Craig of Sioux City; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 12 siblings, Lawrence, William Cecil, Myrtle, Carl, Ethel, Cora, John Debs, Opal, Dorothy, Ray, Arza and Margaret.

Pallbearers will be Brian Urban, BJ Craig, Matthew Dickson, Jason Funk, Craig Williamson, Aaron Williamson, William Craig walking with Shawn Craig, Brian Ganger and Chris Craig.

Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Larson, Kaden Craig, Jacob McGee, Drake Paul, Gearl Hanslip, Charlie Harder, Brett Ried, Erick Elgert, Tom Frisbie, Allen Williamson, Stacey McGee and Tracy Stith.