Shirley A. Craft, 85, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 4:32 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.
She was born October 18, 1935 in Granite City, a daughter of the late T.L. and Eunice (Fitzhugh) Thomason.
She married Reverend Charles A. Craft on May 8, 1953 in Granite City and he passed away on March 8, 1992.
Along with her husband and daughter, they were devoted missionaries since 1968. They had served in Belize for numerous years and in 1972 began missionary work in Guatemala. They were instrumental in starting the Camino Biblico Churches, helping nurture this field to hundreds of churches. Shirley continued their devotion and work even after the loss of her husband. She was a faithful member of Calvary Life Church in Granite City.
She is survived by a son-in-law, Erwin Berndt of Bloomington, Illinois; several nieces; nephews; her church family; other extended family and many friends.
In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia D. Berndt; two sisters, Evelyn and Viola and three brothers, Owen, Eldon and Sam.
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n celebration of her life, visitation will be at Calvary Life Church, 4650 Maryville Road in Granite City on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Mark Maynard, Reverend Ted Flynn and Reverend Dale Yerton will officiate.
Burial will follow at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Collinsville. Memorials may be made to Breaking Ground Ministry Guatemala.
Irwin Chapel of Granite City in charge of arrangements. www.irwinchapel.com
