Don Craig

Don Craig, age 77, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 at 5:39 a.m. in his home.

Don was born on Jan. 9, 1935 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a son to Kenneth and Mildred (Peak) Craig. On May 31, 1958, he married Nadine Thomas in Pinckneyville, Ill. and she survives. The couple celebrated 54 wonderful years of marriage. Don was a member of First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. where he served as treasurer and taught Sunday school. He had worked for Consolidated Coal Company for over 25 years. He was a member of Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, P.C.H.S. School Board member for six years and served on the board of the P.C.H.S. Education Foundation where he was treasurer. Don was a dedicated Pinckneyville Panther fan and enjoyed all sports. He was a statistician and timekeeper for Pinckneyville High School basketball and softball for many years, refereed and umpired numerous games and in his earlier years and was a coach for the Coal Belt Baseball League.

Don is survived by his wife; two daughters, Judy (David) Kopshever and Nancy (Mike) Cheek, all of Pinckneyville, Ill.; four grandchildren, Kevin (Courtney) Kopshever of Waterloo, Ill., Jennifer (Jarrod) Kreid of Du Quoin, Ill. and Nicole and Taylor Cheek of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Ty and Claire Kreid; one brother, Gary Craig of St. Louis, Mo.; mother-in-law, Augusta Thomas of Pinckneyville, Ill.; brother-in-law, Roger (Rosalie) Thomas of Pinckneyville, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Kay (Jim) Bigham of Pinckneyville, Ill., Margaret Craig of Maryville, Ill. and Betty Craig of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Richard and Roger Craig.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Charles Boling officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends may call at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Pinckneyville Community High School Education Foundation.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.