Mr. Everett L. Craig

Mr. Everett L. Craig, age 93, of Murray, KY, formerly of Zion and Waukegan, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Passion and Purpose Homecare in Almo, KY.

He was born on February 17, 1930, in Zion, IL, the son of the late Erwin and Mildred Craig.  Mr. Craig graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School in 1947 and from Lake Forest College in 1951.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and called to active duty during the Korean Conflict.  He continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was Commanding Officer of Naval Reserve Fleet Division 9-19(S) Great Lakes, IL, retiring at the rank of Commander. 

Mr. Craig married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sheets, in Zion, IL, on December 22, 1951.

He was an agent for New York Life Insurance Company for thirty-seven years as a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant and a member of the Mission Dollar Round Table.  He was the recipient of the National Quality Award of the National Association of Life Underwriters for thirty-one consecutive years.  Mr. Craig was the instructor of the first Charter Life Underwriters class in Lake County, Illinois under the sponsorship of De Paul University. 

Mr. Craig served as President of Lake County IL Association of Life Underwriters, Vice President of Lake County Estate Planning Council, Chairman of the Board of Trustees First United Methodist Church Waukegan, IL, Salvation Army Advisory Board Member, President of the Exchange Club of Waukegan, IL, Regional Vice President of the IL Underwriters Association, and Life Member of the Swedish Glee Club of Waukegan.  

He and Carolyn retired to Murray, KY in 1990.  While there he served as a board member for Need Line of Calloway County, the American Heart Association and the First United Methodist Church of Murray.  He was a member of the Murray Lions Club, Murray Country Club, the Military Officer’s Association of America, and the American Legion.  Mr. Craig was an avid golfer, and he enjoyed many Kentucky Lake and Canadian fishing trips with is son, Jim.

After the death of Carolyn Craig in September of 2015, he married the second love of his life Dottie Connor of Mayfield, KY, on January 11, 2020.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Mr. Craig was preceded in death by one sister, Laurel Tuttle in August of 2018.  

He is survived by his wife Dottie Craig of Murray, KY;  one son, Jim Craig and wife Janet of Glen Carbon, IL; two  stepdaughters, Paula Morris and husband Joe of Mayfield, KY, and Teresia Sanderson and husband Larry of Paducah, KY; two sisters, Adelle Merville of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Ardyth Cowperthwaite and husband Kit of Denver, CO; one brother, Gerald E. Craig and his wife Carol of Lima, OH;  two grandchildren, Ellen Craig Vogel and husband Luke of St. Louis, MO and Dianna Craig of Denver, CO; five step grandchildren, Amanda Thompson and her husband, Greg of Mayfield, KY, Justin Youngblood of Mayfield, KY, Kyle Sanderson and his wife Amber of Paducah, KY,  Kirk Sanderson of Lexington, KY, and Kevin Sanderson and his wife Caitlyn of Lexington, KY;  three great grandchildren; nine step great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Murray, KY, with Rev. Jim Stahler officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

For those who would prefer to make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers, the following organizations have been suggested:  The First United Methodist Church, 503 Maple Street, Murray, KY, 42071 or to The Salvation Army National Headquarters, PO Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22314 or any other charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com