EMMA CRAVER

Emma Craver, who would have reached her 100th birthday in November, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August, 24, 2010 at her home in Garrettsville. Born Emma Helena Neitzell on November 11, 1910 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ferdinand and Christina Leichert Neitzell, Emma was the youngest of six children.

Initially living in areas of Cleveland and Brunswick, the family moved when Emma was ten years old to the childhood home she remembered fondly, a farm near Silica in Nelson Township. Emma attended school in Nelson through eleventh grade and boarded in Garrettsville to complete twelfth grade at the top of her class. She then held various jobs including doing piecework at the Garrettsville basket factory.

On December 31, 1936, Emma married Garrettsville native, Wayne Elton Craver, who had returned from the Civilian Conservation Corps camps at Fort Knox, KY and Mount Lassen in California. The couple made their home in Garrettsville-first on Maple Avenue where Emma became a full-time homemaker and mother of three-then later on Water Street. After Wayne entered into partnership with brother-in-law, Charles Atwood, in the local meat market, Emma too helped out at the well-known business on Main Street in Garrettsville. After selling the market, Emma and Wayne lived for short times in Twinsburg and Macedonia, during which time Emma worked as a teller for Twinsburg Banking Company and Wayne worked at the Chrysler stamping plant.

In retirement, the couple returned to Garrettsville where, until the time of Wayne’s death on November 16, 1984, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, taking grandchildren on outdoor excursions, traveling, and enhancing their new home with shrubs and flowers.

Emma greatly valued her family, her church family, neighbors, and friends. For several years she delivered Mobile Meals. She gladly welcomed visitors and reliably remembered loved ones with greeting cards or homemade goods. Simple pleasures-watching children play, tending a garden, challenging friends to games of checkers, observing birds, square dancing, crocheting, and driving through the country—remained her favorite pastimes.

One of the oldest members of the Garrettsville United Methodist Church, Emma also was a longtime member of the United Methodist Women and a life member of the Garrettsville Chapter No. 47 Order of the Eastern Star. She especially enjoyed friendships and activities with fellow members of Senior Citizens and The Lunch Bunch.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Emma was preceded in death by siblings: Adolf Neitzell, Anna Neitzell Goodhart, Augusta Neitzell Fielitz, Fred Neitzell, and Fritzi Neitzell.

She is survived by children and spouses: Don and Donna Craver of Garrettsville, Dorothy and Dr. Ed Kurz of Ravenna, and Glenn and Judi Craver of Garrettsville; grandchildren, Donna K. Craver of Kent, Rodney (Sherri) Craver of Mineral Ridge, Donnie (Christi) Craver of Garrettsville, Dr. Daryl Kurz of Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Paul Kurz of Columbus, OH, Dr. Wayne Kurz of Largo, FL, Dr. Lindy (Dr. Mike) Paradise of Bozeman, MT, Lori Craver of Ravenna, and Deanna Craver of Akron; Darlene (Reid) Patten of Strongsville, Greg Lawrence of Garrettsville, and Stan (Tina) Lawrence of Freedom; great-grandchildren, Michael and Jaclyn Craver and Aaron Craver, Chloe and Hannah Patten, Rebecca Lawrence and Andrew Yarnell; and special loving nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be on Saturday morning, August 28, 2010 from 10 AM until a funeral service at noon at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral, 8382 Center St, Garrettsville, OH 44231. Reverend Kris Patt will conduct services at the funeral home and Park Cemetery, after which all friends and relatives are invited for a luncheon at the United Methodist Church in Garrettsville.

The family extends thanks to all who have remembered Emma with visits and cards over the years, and to Emma’s Helpers who have given friendship as well as care.

If desired, memorials in Emma’s name may be made to Garrettsville United Methodist Church, 8223 Park Avenue, Garrettsville, OH 44231, or to Crescent Chapter #7 Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 24, Garrettsville, OH 44231-0024.