Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson

BARBERTON -- Craig Wilson, 79, of Barberton, passed away April 3 at the Hospice Center in Fairlawn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Loudon and Grace Wilson and his first wife, Ella Leonard Wilson, the mother of his daughters.

Craig was born in Detroit, Mich., and raised in the Algonac area. He served in the Navy at the end of World War II. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Journalism, financing his studies partly by driving Yellow Cab number 31. He was hired by Mr. Maidenburg of the Akron Beacon Journal in 1951 and worked there full time until his retirement in December of 1991. He continued on for 11 more years as a freelance writer for the Beacon, mainly doing Book Talk items.

Craig was the past president of the Akron Newspaper Guild, the past president of the Barberton Noon Kiwanis Club, the past president of the Franklin Club, the former publications director of the National Student Association in Madison, Wis., and a member of Mensa. He and Betsy Fleming compiled an index for the Sam Lane History of Akron and Summit County.

Craig was a former historic actor, portraying Sam Lane and Clement Moore, the author of ``T'was the Night Before Christmas." He gave these performances in the Akron area hundreds of times. Craig was an expert model plane builder and bridge player. He helped establish the War Memorial and to repair the Chief Hopocan statue in Barberton. He also took the lead on the development of the O.C. Barber statue scheduled to be unveiled in Barberton in September.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bendall Wilson of Barberton; daughters, Dawn Wilson (Mitch Harper) of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Andrea (Dan) Korow of Cedaredge, Colo.; grandson, Joshua Korow, also of Cedaredge; brothers, Alan of Prescott, Ariz., Gary of Arlington, Texas and Tom (Vivian) of Ypsilanti, Mich.; brothers-in-law, Donald (Kitty) Leonard of Springville, N.Y., and Albert (Vivian) Bendall of Fair Hope, Ala. He also leaves to mourn him his beloved dog, Omar Vizquel Wilson.

Elizabeth Wilson wishes to publicly acknowledge the sacrifices of Dawn Wilson for her help in 2006 and for coming to Barberton to stay with us for at least one-third of the time between January 17 and the end of Craig's life, to assist with his care and help him fill his hours with interesting projects.

The Wilson Family wishes to thank Dr. Sandy Littlejohn, Dr. John Petrus and Dr. Bechara Tabet for the care and concern they showed Craig in his last years of life.

Our family very much appreciates Dr. Moyenuddin and Dr. Stuhmiller of Barberton Hospital who, by their skills, made the last two months of Craig's life meaningful and worthwhile for him.

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff of Barberton Hospital and Cancer Center, the Hospice on Ridgewood, the hospice home health personnel and the Visiting Nurse home visitors for the kind and gentle help they gave Craig; and to Andrea Korow, Mrs. Edna Myers, Jeanne Ebie, Alma Houston, Wyatt Patterson, Vic Thorn, Alex and Natalie Lubnin, Linda Hurley, Nancy Peacock, Bob Boyd, Sherrie and Chris Sanchez, John McAnlis, Barbara and Jim McIntyre, Terry Neaville, Tom and Vivian Wilson, Bob Crawford, Bob and Sue Frutchey, Dr. and Mrs. Joe Ogonek, Brian and Lisa Miller, Fred and Phyllis Disque, Cindy Martin, Connie Bloom, Rich Postek, and so many more who helped us get through the difficult times of Craig's illness and passing.

Thanks also to Mark Price of the Akron Beacon Journal for his article on the 40th anniversary of Action Line, published in May of 2006, at a time when Craig was alive to see it and enjoy working on it with Mark.

There will be calling hours Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203, and additional viewing and brief memorial service on Saturday, 12 Noon at the funeral home, with Wyatt Patterson presiding.

The Wilsons would like to invite family and friends to a luncheon at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 at Anthe's at 4315 Manchester Road, Akron. Please RSVP to the funeral home. We hope you can join us. Please bring stories, memories about Craig to share. Dress is casual but reservations are a must by Friday afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Craig Wilson Journalism Scholarship in care of the Barberton Community Foundation, 460 W. Paige Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203.

When Craig found out his cancer was terminal he wrote a letter to several friends to let them know. He ended the letter with ``I have had a wonderful life because of my family and career and I have no regrets." We suggested he might revise that to ``I have few regrets." After several moments of thought he said, ``No, actually, I have no regrets."

What more could anyone ask? (Campfield-Hickman-Collier, 330-745-3161.)