Ivan Craig

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ivan C. 'Skip' Craig, age 93, Joplin, passed away at 3:50 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2016 at Spring River Christian Village after a long illness.

Ivan was born June 3, 1922 in Lorraine, Kansas to the late Roscoe Craig, Sr. and Nellie Henry Craig and had lived in Joplin the past 16 years, moving from Lorraine.

He worked as a mechanic for the Federal Housing Administration for five years and worked as a sheet metal mechanic for United Airlines in San Francisco for three years. He returned to Lorraine in 1955 and worked as a self employed painter for the next nine years. Ivan then took a custodian position at Lorraine Baptist Church, worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, and drove a school bus for the local school district.

Ivan enjoyed rodeos, races, home remodeling, and woodworking. He was a faithful member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin.

He married Betty A. Myers on June 8, 1957 in McPherson, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 8, 1999.

He then married Betty J. West on March 1, 2003 in Joplin. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include a son, Paul Craig and his wife, Cindy, Olathe, Kansas; a daughter, Carol Watts and her husband, Morgan, Joplin; two stepsons, Douglas West and his wife, Barbara, Columbus, Kansas, Richard West and his wife, Vivian, Richmond, Kansas; two grandchildren, Tessa Watts and Drew Watts; eight step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Ivan was preceded in death by siblings, Marian Janssen, Lois Swafford, Janette Gallion, Roscoe 'Red' Craig, J.R., infants Warren and Naomi; and granddaughter, Hannah Watts.

Graveside services are planned for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Baptist Cemetery, Lorraine, Kansas. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5-7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park Baptist Church-Missions, First Baptist Church of Lorraine or to Honor Flight of Kansas City, all in care of Parker Mortuary.