Walter L. Craig

A stranger to none and a friend to all, Walter Craig put the spice into the world around him. He had a contagious zest for life with a sense of humor that was hard to miss. With a love for his family that was easy to see, Walter was a devoted husband and father who was so proud to witness his family tree blossom to include the grandson he adored. In many ways Walter was just a kid at heart, yet he was also well respected by his co-workers and colleagues due to his impeccable work ethic. Taken from his loved ones too soon, he will be deeply missed while his memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to know and love him.

Amidst the many transformations that were occurring in America during the 1960s, the world was blessed in 1965. In the year 1965 a young couple from Columbia City, Indiana, was blessed with the birth of their healthy baby boy on December 14, 1965. Walter Lee was one of four children born to his parents, Bennie Devon and Wanda (Johnson) Craig, and he was raised in the family home in Whitley County alongside his brother, Verlin, and his sisters, Melissa and Monica. Walter, his father, and his siblings were given a tough pill to swallow when his mother died when she was just 29. This left his father on his own to raise Walter and his siblings along with the help of his grandparents, Walter and Helen Schneider. The family relied heavily on Walter and his strength to get through this difficult time.

Even at a young age Walter was a bustle of activity. He grew up fishing and swimming at Tri-Lakes, and he also played basketball. Walters grandpa taught him how to draw while he learned to cook from his grandma. Walter attendedWhitko High School where he graduated in 1984. After graduating from high school , Walter attendedBall State University and received his associates degree from Ivy Tech in 1998

Not to be forgotten while he was in college was Walters introduction to the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Kristina Brandom, and they met during the spring of 1986. Just four months later, she was in a severe truck accident that left her with a broken back. Kristina was airlifted from Ft. Wayne to Indianapolis. Completely in love, Walter asked Kristina to marry him while in the hospital, joking that he needed to do it then since she couldnt run away from him! He did marry his sweetheart as they exchanged their vows on June 11, 1988, in Columbia City.Their love together was strong.As their love grew so did their family. Together they welcomed five children into their hearts and home, Randy, Jakeb, Miranda, Grace, and Abigayle. In June of 2013, they celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary.

Throughout his life Walter worked hard to support his family. He spent several years working as a manager at Alfe Heat Treating in Columbia City and Quadrant in Ft. Wayne, In 2009, Walter joined Life Star Rescue in Van Wert, Ohio, until July of 2013 when he joined AutoTruck in Roanoke, IN as a Special Projects Manager where he was instrumental in in helping to open the companies East Coast Facility.

With his fun-loving spirit as his constant companion, Walter was an active part of his childrens lives. He loved spending time at the gun range and taught his children how to handle and shoot guns as well. Some of the Craig familys favorite memories were made at their seasonal camping space at Forest Ridge. They spend countless hours there together over a period of several years. Walter and Kristina loved to travel just as a couple, too, with one of their favorite trips being their 25th wedding anniversary celebration in Jamaica. The family looked forward to their Easter egg hunt every spring, which Walter was always an important part of. He also knew his way around the kitchen and enjoyed cooking both indoors and out. Among his specialties were his spaghetti dinners and his fried turkey for Thanksgiving and for company cookouts. Living an active and healthy lifestyle was important to Walter so he worked out four days a week and also got his exercise regularly playing golf and riding his Honda Goldwing trike.

All who knew Walter would agree that he was truly one of a kind. He was never one to back down from a challenge, and it was in this spirit that he wanted to wrestle a bear during his late twenties. However, the bear trainer was worried that because of Walters size the bear would see him as a threat. This proved to be one of Walters ideas that didnt come to fruition. With his outgoing and courageous personality coupled with his fun-loving sense of humor, he could often be seen driving around Laud in his golf cart with his marshmallow shooter and potato gun in hand, ready to protect his small community. Walter was also known to drive around for up to an hour just looking for someone who was outside so he could stop by just to talk.

A lifelong resident of Whitley County, there was no one who met Walter Craig and left unchanged. He was vibrant, fun-loving, and adventurous with a great sense of humor to boot. By the way Walter lived, it is easy to see that he was never concerned with the things he had, rather, his focus was on sharing laughter and love with those around him. For his family and friends he was the rock upon which all could lean on. He knew what people needed to hear and had that uncommon knack of making everyone feel better just by being around him. He made it his mission to fix what needed to be mended in people and gave freely of himself to accomplish this goal. He had a big heart and made sure everyone knew that he truly cared about them. It did not matter if you knew him for five minutes or fifteen years, Walter made you feel welcomed and loved. An extraordinary husband, father, and friend, he will never be forgotten.

Walter L. Craig, of Columbia City, Indiana, died at 5:38 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Walters family includes his wife, Kristina Craig; children, Randy (Holly) Cochran of Indianapolis, Jakeb, Miranda, Grace and Abigayle Craig all of Columbia City; grandson, Haedyn Cochran; father, Bennie Craig of Columbia City; grandmother, Helen Schneider of Columbia City; brother, Verlin (Valerie) Craig of North Manchester; sisters, Melissa Sandager of Columbia City, Monica (Gary) Slentz of Howe; several in-laws, nieces and nephews; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Beverly Brandom of Columbia City; and his rescue puppies Molly, Mocha, and Macy. Walter was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda Lou, and his grandparents, Walter Schneider and Aggie & Verlin Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, from 2-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the funeral home with Rev. Lois Cannon officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at South Park Cemetery Annex. Memorial gifts may be given in Walter's memory and will be used to further his children's education, in care of Kristina Craig.