Verna Jean Craven

Verna Jean Craven, age 92 of Durand, passed away peacefully to be with her Savior on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Durand Senior Care and Rehab Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at New Creation Church, 1800 Corunna Ave. Owosso, MI. Pastor Brian Keesler will be officiating. Family will receive friends from 10-11:30 AM. Burial will take place at Lovejoy Cemetery in Durand following the service.
Verna Jean Kushmaul was born on July 16, 1933, in Evart, MI, a daughter of Clarence and Pearl (Corman) Kushmaul. On January 10, 1950, she married her beloved husband Donald Craven at the family farm in Sears, MI. They shared 57 1/2 wonderful years together, their lives centered on God and family.
Verna Jean enjoyed square dancing and attending jams with the best square dance partner and caller in the county, going to church, studying the Bible, listening to music, putting together jigsaw puzzles and working on puzzle game books. She loved the little piece of property she and Donald owned in Lake, MI where they spent every free weekend and later their retirement years. There, amongst other activities, she enjoyed cross country skiing and going for walks, as well as watching birds, deer, and all of God's creatures from her cozy house in the woods she and Donald built together.
In addition to her calling as a devoted wife, mother, and gramma, and primary responsibility as a homemaker she worked at Durand Family Foods, Booth's Clothing, Youth Haven Ranch, McDonald's in Clare, and the Spartan grocery store in Marion. Verna Jean was a good neighbor and a faithful friend.
Verna Jean is survived by her children, Carolyn (Tom) Keesler and Anne (Terry) Nichols; daughter in-law, Karen Craven; grandchildren, Heather (Brian) Atkinson, Aaron (Najwa) Keesler, Jeff Keesler, Pete (Jamie) Nichols, Brian (Abigail) Keesler, Brent Craven and Lori (West) Luther; great grandchildren, Delaney, Bailey (Alex), Rylee (Elliott), Mayson, Jacob, Rose, Austin, J.J., Jaycie, Ella, Ramsey, Noah, Layla, Alex and Kallie; great-great grandchildren, Bennett and Colsen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; infant daughter, Linda; son, Dick; infant great granddaughter, Emma; parents, Clarence and Pearl; siblings, Winona, Geneva, Bud and Pete.
Memorial contributions in Verna Jean's name are suggested to her home church, New Creation Church of Owosso, or Youth Haven Ranch, where she and Donald faithfully served the Lord and deserving children for more than 9 years. Online condolences may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com