Robert Craig

Robert Craig HERRIN - Robert A. Craig, 64, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home after a long and hard fight with cancer, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Robert was born to Bobby L. and Patsy L. (Cripps) Craig on May 18, 1947. He married Vickie (Quaglia) Craig on Nov. 15, 1997, in Herrin. She survives. As a child who loved music, it soon became his teenage life. He played the trumpet in the home town band called the Pharohs, playing in area parties, clubs and even the Battle of the Bands in Springfield. Bob enjoyed telling the story of the one time he got to play with Jerry Lee Lewis. On April 27, 1966, Bob joined the military and served in the Air Force. He served his country honorably during Vietnam, where he became an air traffic controller. This set his career path and he became a member of PATCO, as he was able to stand for his beliefs in the strike to better the lives of Air Traffic Controllers and their families. Although he was an air traffic controller, Bob did many other things. He worked as a salesman for the Southern Illinoisan, owned and operated six video rental stores in Northern Indiana and spent a small amount of time as a DJ for WJPF in Herrin, until finding his true place at the VFW Post 1567 in Herrin. There he spent the rest of his time taking care of veterans. From managing the canteen, raising funds and awareness for veteran's programs, encouraging veterans to seek help and assistance for VA services, to just being a friend or someone to talk to. He loved being surrounded by all his many family and friends. He loved to sing, dance and have fun. Most of all he truly loved just being a kind person and finding good in all people. Robert was a life member, Past Commander, past fifteenth District Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1567, a member of the American Legion and a member of the Herrin Elks. Robert is survived by his wife and best friend, Vickie (Quaglia) Craig of Herrin; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Andy Herrman of Mishawaka, Ind.; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Michelle Craig of South Bend, Ind.; six grandchildren, Drew, Michael, Marjorie and Audry Herrman of Mishawaka, Kiley and Ava Craig of South Bend, Ind.; mother-in-law, Joanne Quaglia of Port Orange, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Joie Moore of Herrin, Gale and Robin Murry of Scheller, Greg Quaglia of Herrin, Doug Quaglia of Herrin; several nieces and nephews; cousin, Lori Denham of Crenshaw; and too many close friends to mention. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Patsy Craig; father-in-law, Ed Quaglia; and special friend, Jim Brown. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin, with the Monsr. Ken Scheafer officiating. Military rites will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Herrin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1567. Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.