Craig

Merle K. Craig, 80, of State Route 308, Emlenton, died late Tuesday afternoon at his home of natural causes.

Born in Forestville, Oct. 14, 1926, he was the son of Homer Craig and Pearl Bell Craig Baughman.

He was a longtime member of the St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church in Murrinsville and had served as an usher for years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Grove City.

Mr. Craig had been a brakeman at Cooper-Bessemer, now Cooper Energy, in Grove City and retired after 43 years.

He was a veteran of World War II and was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of seaman first class. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific, primarily aboard the USS Card, and was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the European-African Mid-East Service Medal.

He was a member and a past commander of the American Legion Post 852 of Harrisville.

Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Verna M. Vardyan McGallis Craig, whom he married Sept. 26, 1964; two sons, Denis Craig of Phoenix, and DuWayne Craig and his wife, Barbara, of Forestville; a stepson, John McGallis and his wife, Sharyn, of Grove City; three stepdaughters, Glenda Davis and her husband, Pete, of Hilliards, Valerie Christie of Butler and Dorothy Frisk and her husband, David, of Slippery Rock; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A brother, Dale Craig of Columbus, Ohio, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother.

<B>CRAIG</B> — Friends of Merle K. Craig, who died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Main Street (Route 38), Eau Claire. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church, Murrinsville, with the Rev. Richard Thompson officiating. Burial will be at the Epiphany Church Cemetery, Boyers.Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Moniteau Ceremonial Squad.