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Ellis “Moe” Craig, long time resident of San Manuel, passed away in Tyler, Texas on April 22 at the age of 82, after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease.
He is predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Marilyn Sue; parents, William and Mary Alice; brothers: Laurel, Carlos, William, Claude and James; sisters: Betty Lou Campbell, Louise Healey, Helen Jean Warren, Doris Fry and Karen Sue Smith.
Ellis will be lovingly remembered and missed by his daughter, Linda (Rick) Eck; sons: Chip (Elissa), Larry, Gerald; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Abbott; not to mention many, many more family and friends.
Ellis was born in Golconda, Illinois on January 6, 1932. He married Marilyn Sue Jennings on September 24, 1950. They lived on a small farm, tending their animals and cultivating several fields of vegetables. Ellis also worked in the coal mine, and worked as a carpenter, building homes around the area.
In 1960, they moved to San Manuel where Ellis went to work for Magma Copper at the smelter, as a boilermaker, and, then, later, as a tinsmith. He retired in 1992, and then started his own business, ‘Craig’s Saw Sharpening and Small Engine Repair’, which he stayed busy doing on up until the onset of his illness.
Ellis really loved working with wood, building furniture items, kitchen cabinets and hope chests for family members. Growing up on a farm, he had a passion for growing things. Then, he would process and can a lot of what he grew. He enjoyed camping, bird hunting and fishing. He was quite the chef with his tasty fish frys and homemade donuts.
Ellis’ wishes were to be cremated, and, later, in the fall of this year, his family will take his ashes and those of his wife, Sue, back to Illinois, where they will be laid to rest near their parents and other family members.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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