John Elliott Craver, 85.

• Position: DEATHS

DUDLEY John Elliott Craver, 85, of Dudley, died Wednesday, March 17, in Overlook Masonic Health Center, Charlton, after an illness.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Eleanor (Trull) Craver; 4 sons: E. Bates Craver and his wife Cheryl of Thompson, CT, Robert T. Craver and his wife Robin of Webster, John N. Craver and his partner Jerry of Seattle, WA, and Benjamin A. Craver and his wife Elizabeth of Dudley; 11 grandchildren: Shawn P. Craver and his wife Sherri, Nancy Harnois and her husband Mederic, Laura B. Craver and her fiance Kevin Rogers, Michael Leal, Jamie Leal, Odessa DeGrieck, Andrew Finch-Craver, Josiah P. Craver, Sarah B. Marchand and her husband Todd, Leland C. Craver and his fiancee Sarah Joyce, and Marjory P. Craver; 2 great grandsons: Logan and Mederic; 3 brothers: Perry P. Craver and his wife Betty of Maine, Nelson B. Craver and his wife Dorothy of Cape Cod, and Edgar G. Craver and his wife Audrey of Florida; many nephews and nieces.

He was born in Worcester, the son of Edgar A. and Marjory E. (Parsons) Craver, and lived in Webster and Dudley all his life. He attended Bartlett High School and graduated from Vermont Academy. He attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II.

Mr. Craver was a leather buyer for Bates Shoe Company and was the owner of Campbell Shoe Store in Portsmouth, N.H. He then was president of Perryville Realty and Westview Estates, Inc., before retiring.

John was active in his church and community. He was a member of the Church of the Reconciliation in Webster, where he served as a member of the vestry and as senior warden. In his younger years, he coached little league...