Graceanne (Paton) Craig, 76, of Peoria, formerly of Ottawa and Lake Thunderbird, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Manor Court at Liberty Village of Peoria.
A celebration of her life will take place on January 3, 2025, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home
Graceanne was born December 5, 1948, in Streator, IL, to George and Alice (Daugherity) Paton. She attended Streator High School and graduated Class of 1967. She went on to attend Lindenwood College and later LSU where she graduated in 1971. She married William “Bill” Craig on June 4, 1971 in Streator, IL.
After returning to Ottawa in 1972, she went to work for St. Louis Beverage Company, her family’s Budweiser distributor. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and watching LSU football. She enjoyed traveling, taking many trips with her friends and spending the winters in Destin, Florida. She also enjoyed shopping and going out to eat, with her sister. She was always the host of the family Christmas Eve and collected Santa Clause statues and figurines. She was also part of the Party of the Month club where she was known for her corned beef. More than anything, she loved her children and grandchildren. She would spend as much time as she could with them.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Craig; her children, Kirk Mawhorter of Arizona, Will Craig of Johnson City, TN, Michael (Ani) Craig of Austin TX, and Allison Hayes of Ottawa, IL; her grandchildren, Max and George Craig and Braden, Andrew, and Ella grace Hayes; her great granddaughter, Veronica Hayes; and her sister, Nancy (Pat) Paton Reinhardt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alice; her son in law, Ron Hayes; and her sister, Marybeth (Paton) Picker
Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choosing.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com