Obituary of Joseph LeRoy Craft

Joseph Leroy Craft, 92, of Dowagiac, peacefully passed away at The Timbers of Cass County, on April 17, 2022. He was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to the late William and Viola (Davis) Craft on November 21, 1929. At 92 years young, Joseph lived a great life full of special memories created with family and friends. He was independent, quick-witted, and full of love for all those in his life. After graduating high school Joseph joined the United States Navy. He was a proud sailor but after his service with the Navy was finished, he decided that joining the United States Army would be a better fit. While in the Arm, he married the woman of his dreams, Frances Harris. Together they had five children, all of which he loved to the very end. Joseph was a loyal husband, a caring father, and a very loving grandfather. Family was a very important aspect of his life and he always did his best to show them that with the quality time he spent. While his kids were growing up, the family was able to go on a handful of trips. Every year his family would take a few weeks and enjoy time in a cottage on Sister Lakes. They also traveled to the Wisconsin Dells, the Smoky Mountains, Colorado Springs, and various other places when they were able. He was always a man of simple pleasures, a cold Fallstaff beer, and an egg sandwich while watching either the Chicago Bears or the Cubs would keep him happy all day. He also enjoyed bowling, golf, and softball for as long as his body would allow him to. During the blizzard of 1976, he and his wife were stuck in a bowling alley, needing snowmobiles to get home safe. He was also known to throw an excellent horseshoe and was an avid penny-ante poker player. Joseph made the most of his time off as he worked long days as a meat cutter until his retirement. He took a lot of pride in being able to provide for his family, and that extended to his grandkids as well. He loved the quality time he was able to have with his grandkids, often times taking them out for ice cream or simply just hanging out with them while their parents were working. He was a very quick-witted individual and was also known to be stubborn at times but anyone close to him always knew how important they were in his life. Joseph was a good man who did right by those he cared about and his presence will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. Preceding him in death include his beloved wife, Frances (Harris) Craft; both parents, William and Viola (Davis) Craft; and all of his siblings, Bertha, Darryl, and Ora. Joseph is survived by all of his children, Gary (Linda) Craft, Deanna (Terry) Glynn, Barbara (Larry) Myrkle, Linda (Larry) McArthur, and William (Danielle) Craft; honorary daughters, Marjon (Aart) van de Pol, and Becky Craft; as well as eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cass County Humane Society. Burial with military honors will take place at Mission Hills Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.