Gary Wayne Craft, 67, a resident of Springfield, Illinois, formerly of Assumption, passed away on January 24, 2017, at Springfield Memorial Medical Center. He was born August 5, 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the eldest child of Robert and Patricia (Tankersley) Craft.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 in Seitz Funeral Home, Assumption. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Assumption or donor's choice.

Gary was a 1968 graduate of Assumption High School, and shortly after his graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge, he was employed by Bethlehem Steel Works in Indiana. In 1972, while leaving work after his shift ended, he was involved in a traffic accident which left him permanently disabled. As he recovered, Gary returned to live in Assumption. In 2014, he relocated to an apartment at Brenden Gardens, an independent living community in Springfield, Illinois.

Although disabled, Gary enjoyed walking around Assumption and developed many friendships throughout the community. He enjoyed visiting the businesses in Assumption and could frequently be found at Sloan's Implement, where he would stock up on candy and notepads. One of his real enjoyments was riding with his Uncle Jim Tankersley, and spending time at Tank's lot on Lake Taylorville. Gary was friends with all, and those who welcomed him into their hearts and businesses deserve a special thank-you. The family is grateful to the many people who showed kindness to him over the years.

Gary was a member of the American Legion Post #284 and the First United Methodist Church in Assumption.

Gary is survived by his mother, Patricia; two brothers - Robert of Athens, AL, James of Sherman, IL; and three sisters - MaryBeth Pearson of Aiken, SC; Jeanne Malme and brother-in-law Ross Malme of Atlanta, GA; and Cynthia Mueller of Naples, FL. He is also survived by two nieces, Amber Pearson and Shannon (husband Jordan) McBride; and two nephews Joshua Pearson, and Clinton Mueller.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Frank Craft.