Paul Craig

PERRY, Ill. -- Paul Craig, 54, of Perry, died Saturday (July 11, 2015) at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

He was born Dec. 13, 1960, in Danville, a son of James and Marlene Calhoun Craig. He married Mary Ellen Suhling on Nov. 24, 1979, in Mount Sterling. She survives.

Paul was a 1979 graduate of Griggsville High School. He was a past employee of National Starch for 21 years in Meredosia and was very involved with Boilermakers Union Local 484. He later worked for the Jacksonville Developmental Center until the center closed. He then was employed by the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.

He was a 34-year member of the North Pike Fire Department, where he had been fire chief since 1994. He was an instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute for many years. He was Mutual Aid Box Alarm System's current president for Division 67, and past president of Twin Pike Mutual Aid Association. He was also the Western Illinois sales rep for Illinois Fire Store. He was a member of the Perry Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M. for many years and Pittsfield OES Chapter 195. He was heavily involved with youth sports in Pike County. One of Paul's great loves was riding his Harley-Davidson. Paul was a very giving man and gave until the end by donating his organs to Gift of Hope.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Kimber Martin (Michael "Bub") of Perry; two sons, Kellen Craig of Phoenix and Kollin Craig (Brittany) of Columbia, Mo.; three grandchildren, Hattie and Ike Martin of Perry, and Finley Craig of Columbia; three sisters, Alicia Dunham (Scott) and Anna Emrick (John), both of Griggsville, and Jennifer Craig Blakley of Charleston; two brothers, Jay Craig (Janna) of Griggsville and Steve Craig (Leann) of Neoga; and several nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Services are pending.

VISITATION: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the Airsman-Hires Funeral Home, Pittsfield.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, North Pike Fire Department or the Patriot Guard, in care of the funeral home.

ARRANGEMENTS: Airsman-Hires Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.airsman-hires.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.