Andrew E. Craig

Andrew E. Craig

(February 28, 1927 – January 20, 2023)

Andrew Edward “Andy” Craig , 95, of Godfrey, IL, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 7:05 a.m. Friday, January 20, 2023 in Jerseyville Manor, Jerseyville, IL.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2023 at Emmanuel Free Methodist Church, 3993 Fosterburg Road, Alton, IL 62002 and from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Saturday, January 28, 2023 also at the church.  A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the church with Revs. Mark Scandrett, Matthew Scandrett and Chris Smith officiating and will be live streamed at http://www.efmc.org/funerals . Later in the day on Saturday, a visitation will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, 415 N. Broadway, Shelbyville, IL 62565.  Graveside services will follow at 4:00 p.m. in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard.  Memorials may be given to Central Christian College of Kansas and Emmanuel Free Methodist Church.

Andy was born on February 28, 1927 in Shelby County, IL, the son of Cecil and Grace (Fulte) Craig.  He graduated early from Shelbyville High School (Class of 1945) to enter the U.S. Navy.  He was veteran of WW II, and received an Honorable Discharge on July 6, 1946. Andy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University in 1952.  He worked at the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville, designing hay balers and later retired from Blaw-Knox, where he designed road pavers.  Andy married Virginia Joan Bolinger on August 31, 1957 and they were blessed with two children, Kathy and Mike.  Andy and Joan enjoyed 40 years of marriage on a 40 acre farm outside of Shelbyville. Andy continued to live there for an additional 17 years after Joan’s passing. There Andy enjoyed gardening, raising cattle, growing fruit, bee keeping, rock polishing and spending time with his family.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, where he taught Sunday school for over 50 years.  He faithfully attended Emmanuel Free Methodist Church in Alton, as long as he was physically able, after moving to his daughter’s home in 2014.

He is survived by his daughter, Katherine Scandrett (Mark) of Godfrey, IL; son, Michael Craig (Dianne) of McPherson, Kansas; grandchildren, Lydia Lallatin (Joshua), Nathan Scandrett (Annalee), Matthew Scandrett, Daton Rippley, Jonathan Craig (Julia), Stephen Craig (Sarah), Allison Koerperich (Caleb), and Ethan Craig (Evangelyn); and great grandchildren, Faye Lallatin, Arthur Lallatin, Gemma Craig, Ariana Koerperich, Julian Craig, and Lincoln Craig.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Craig on January 11, 1998; mother, Grace Hill; step-father, Ernest Hill; father, Cecil Craig; and brother, Walter Craig.