Kenneth M. Craig, 74, of Hillsdale, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The son of R. “LeRoy” and Hannah J. (Fleming) Craig, he was born on Sept. 26, 1942, in Pittsburgh.
Ken was a 1960 graduate of Purchase Line High School.
He began his working career at Greensteel before embarking on a job in the field of construction work followed by being the owner and a driver of his own coal trucking business.
Prior to his retirement in 2015, he had been employed as an electrical technician with H&H Electric, of Clymer, for a number of years.
Ken was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan, who delighted in cheering on the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, as well as following Penn State sports.
For years Ken was involved with local sports. He was a referee for football and basketball, as well as an umpire for softball. For over a decade, encompassing parts of the 1970s and 1980s, Ken was the coach for the Hillsdale softball team.
He also served as the assistant softball coach of the Purchase Line High School girls’ softball team for four years.
A bowling enthusiast, Ken had been a member of the Patterson Lanes Mixed League. Ken was a member of the Cambrian Hills Golf Club, where he was the First Flight Champion in 1997.
Additionally, he was a member of the Dixonville Moose #833, the NRA and the Oak Leaf hunting camp in Sinnemahoning.
In his spare time, Ken could be found hunting and following NASCAR. One of the highlights of his life were his beloved dogs, Maggie and Mollie. He had faithfully made annual contributions to the Flight #93 Memorial.
Ken is survived by his three daughters: Kenna Smyers and husband Kevin, of Deckers Point; Bev Baker and husband Chris, of Commodore; and Angie Craig, of Hillsdale; their mother, Myrna (Churchill) Craig, of Indiana; and his four grandchildren: BreeAnne Baker, Craig Baker, Chad Smyers and Adam Smyers.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, the Rev. Robert Craig, and his wife, Glenda.
Family and friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Rairigh Funeral Home Ltd. in Hillsdale, where a 1 p.m. funeral service will be held on Tuesday with Pastor Paul Yarnal officiating.
Interment will take place at the Greenwood Cemetery in Indiana.
Contributions in memory of Ken may be forwarded to the Purchase Line Red Dragon Foundation, P.O. Box 95, Commodore, PA 15729.
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