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John Crayton Obituary
PEORIA - John W. Crayton, 83, of Peoria passed into eternal life on Friday, August 4, 2017, at OSF Hospice Home in Peoria.
Born June 9, 1934, in Canton, IL, to Edgar and Clementine (Weaver) Crayton. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley (Branson), on June 20, 1954, in Canton, IL. Together, they raised five children in Washington, IL. Shirley succumbed to cancer in 1995. Love bloomed again for John when he met Nancy Shefts. They married on August 31, 1996, and spent the next twenty years traveling, volunteering and enjoying their large blended family.
"Papa John" is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sister, Kay Walter; four children, Mary (Wayne) Britsch, Becky (Steve) Cummings, Karen (Neal) DeFrees and Mike (Stacy) Crayton; four step-children, Kim (Amir) Shefts, Allison (Chuck) Davis, Jamison Shefts and Lance (Jennifer) Shefts; and numerous precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; his daughter, Judy (Bruce) Barrick; and his parents.
John proudly served his country for eight years in the Navy Reserves, as a corpsman and a Diesel Mechanic Instructor. He was a graduate of Canton High School and Sangamon State University. He was employed by Caterpillar, Inc., for over 50 years. In his role as a Sr. Electronic Development Engineer at Caterpillar's Technical Center, he obtained numerous patents for his innovative designs and unique solutions to business problems, pioneering in the field of robotics.
Being a man of few words, John showed his deep love and concern for family, friends and neighbors through his actions. He was always first on the scene, toolbox in hand, when anyone needed assistance and enjoyed passing along his knowledge to young people. John combined his passion for helping others with his handyman/ engineering/building skills to serve as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
John's family will be celebrating his life in a private service. Friends are encouraged to remember him by performing an act of kindness in his name or by donating to an organization such as Habitat for Humanity.
To share sympathies and notes of condolences, visit www.peoriafuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Crayton
Sponsored by Affordable Funeral & Cremation Service - Washington.
4 Entries
Joey Watt
July 30, 2022
I have fond memories of John & Nancy. They employed my son, Enoch, and were very kind to him. God bless Nancy & other family members.
Tim Boston
August 7, 2017
John was a good man. I appreciated all he did for me. I leaned a LOT from John. My condolences to the family.
Edward Johnson
August 7, 2017
John's Family,
We are sad to read of John's passing. Ed (Electrical Engineer) worked with John from September 1966 to March 1973 when Ed left the Caterpillar Technical Center. The Controls & Fluid Mechanics group was in the then new Building E. We remember the great time at John & Shirley's home in Washington, IL. Think the card game played was double pinochle. Ed retired from the Caterpillar Mossville Engine Center on October 31, 2008.
We hope your many, many happy memories will help you get through this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed & Diana Johnson
Peoria, IL
Joey Watt
August 7, 2017
I'll remember the way John Crayton taught my son, Enoch, useful skills and treated him in such a kind way when he did yard work for the Craytons. God bless your family.
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