Ruth Mae Holben Craig, 95, a well known, lifelong Chicora resident, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 15, 2018, surrounded by her children and family. Ruth was born on the family farm in Chicora, on June 6, 1923. She was the daughter of Boyd and Lottie Christie Holben.
She was married to Robert E. “Sparky” Craig on August 11, 1944. He preceded her in death on February 27, 1993. Ruth attended the Center School in Donegal Township and graduated from Chicora High School in 1942.
She and her family owned and operated Silverside Pool in Chicora from 1970-1984 and Wally Gas Company in Armstrong County from 1965-present. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and a long-time active member of the Chicora United Methodist Church and the Cheerful Workers group. Ruth loved spending time with all of her grandchildren, who affectionately called her Maw or Me-Maw.
She will be remembered for her delicious baked goods, especially her pies. She liked to travel, go out to dinner and movies with her friends, and play cards and dominoes. Ruth is survived by three sons, Dennis Craig and his wife, Cindy, Edward Craig and his wife, Pat, and Fred “Spike” Craig and his wife, Cathy, all of Chicora; three daughters, Janis Reeves and her husband, Billy, of Chicora, Brenda Mazzotta and her husband, Adrian, of Mars, and Tyra Francis and her husband, Jeffrey “Larry”, of Chicora, and a daughter-in-law, Betty Craig of Chicora; seventeen grandchildren, Beth Ekis and her husband, Darrin,, Bob Craig and his husband, John, Corey Craig and his wife, Christina, Alissa Fickert and her husband, Ian, Jarod Craig and his wife, Nicole, Natalie Deal and her husband, “Fuzz”, Matt Craig and his wife, Jill, Ashley Summerville and her husband, David, Mallory Trimbur and her husband, Kevin, Erica Dorondo and her husband, Mike, Ian Reeves, Ali Mazzotta, Michael Mazzotta, Craig Mazzotta, Adriana Mazzotta, Brad Francis and Luke Francis, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren, Trevor and Taylor Ekis, Elwyn and Harris Craig, Cooper and Cohen Craig, Aiden and Camryn Fickert, Derek and Landon Deal, Paxton and Larkin Summerville and Sawyer Ruth Trimbur; two sisters, Virginia Parker of Chicora and Barbara Ross of Millers Creek, NC; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stanley A. McCollough of Butler, Shirley and Eugene V. “Pud” Craig of Chicora, and Eleanor Holben of Medina, OH, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her son, John R. “Chester” Craig, six brothers, three sisters, and a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd. , Chicora, from 12 – 3 and to 6 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday from the Chicora United Methodist Church, 203 Central Ave. , Chicora, with the Rev. James Lewis, church pastor, officiating.
(There will be no viewing at church. ) Interment will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Craig’s name may be made to Chicora United Methodist Church, PO Box 502, Chicora, PA 16025.
For more information, or to send a condolence, please visit www. hilefh.com.
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