Thelma Jean Craft
St. Louis, Missouri -
Thelma Jean (Dragoo) Craft “Jean”, age 90, formerly of Urbana, IL, passed away
peacefully surrounded by family, on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at her daughter’s home.
She was born on August 6, 1934, the youngest of two children, to Everett Mayo
Dragoo and Lamia Blanche (Berry) Dragoo. She grew up on a farm in Rochester, IL and
graduated from Rochester High School in 1952. She went on to graduate from Springfield
College in Illinois, majoring in accounting and business.
Jean worked at Springfield Marine Bank before moving to Urbana, IL in the early 1960’s.
For the next 35 years until retiring, she worked at the University of Illinois as the supervisor of
the accounting office for the Housing Division.
She married the love of her life, Charles Vincent Craft, on June 20, 1964. Four years later
they welcomed their one and only child, daughter Sarah Jean Craft, and their lives were
complete. Their 54-year union was a testament to the power of enduring love and a true
partnership in every conceivable way.
Jean’s talents were many, she was an accomplished and award winning cook, an amazing
homemaker, she excelled at bowling, she was a real card shark, playing a variety of card games
near daily with family and friends, she loved vacationing with her little family and cheering on
the Fighting Illini (YO CHIEF!) at every opportunity, but most importantly to her, she was a
beloved wife, a loving mother, doting grandmother to her only grandchild, and a dear friend to
many.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Craft (Larry) Miller and one Sweet
Grandson, Liam Craft Miller, age 17, all of St. Louis, as well as many nieces and nephews all
over the world.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her cherished husband; and a sister, Dorris
(Dragoo) McKinney.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with the funeral at 11 a.m. on Saturday,
September 21, 2024, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana. Interment will be private and for
immediate family only on September 23 at Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Champaign-Urbana. Condolences
may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.