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Earl and Barbara Crain

Earl and Barbara Crain

CRAIN

Earl Eugene Crain, age 81, born in Murphysboro, IL on August 15, 1938; passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. Barbara (Moro) Crain, age 77, born on April 27, 1943 in Herrin, IL; passed away on Monday, June 8, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Earl and Barbara “Barb” Crain married each other on August 19, 1989 and resided in Sparta, IL.

Earl was a United States Navy veteran.  He enjoyed shooting targets and watching old western movies.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.  Barb spent a lot of time volunteering at the neighborhood thrift center.  Earl and Barb were members of the Sparta Eagles and ran their own business called the “Crain’s Nest”. They both retired from Spartan Printing Company.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife – Barbara Crain.  Parents – Richard Earl and Ruth (Bownam) Crain.  Brother – Jack Crain.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents – Ernest Moro and Francis (Blackwell) Herron.

They are survived by Five Children – Kenneth (Kim) Kempfer of Evansville, IL; Judy (Jeff) Rathert of Percy, IL; Vicky (Andy) Wilson of Sparta, IL; Ruda Ford of Brandon, MS; Trina (Jason) Dashney of Shiloh, IL.  Twelve Grandchildren – Tommy (Deanna) Bowlin of Steeleville, IL; Rachel (Stuart) Carmody of Brandon, MS; Justen Kempfer of Evansville, IL; Zachary Kempfer of Evansville, IL; Taylor (Ellis) Henley of Litchfield, IL; Brandon Kempfer of Evansville, IL; Rachel Wilson of Sparta, IL; Zoe Ford of Brandon, MS; Kaelyn Dashney of Shiloh, IL; Toby Knight of Evansville, IL; Jesse Dashney of Shiloh, IL; Jack Dashney of Shiloh, IL.  Four Great Grandchildren – Brady Bowlin of Steeleville, IL; Landry Bowlin of Steeleville, IL; Briar Kempfer of Evansville, IL; Ollie Carmody of Brandon, MS.  Earl’s sister – Rhonda (Kevin) Beruda of Belleville, IL.  Barb’s siblings – June Salyer of Sparta, IL; Danny (Lorna) Moro of Sparta, IL; Don (Kyla) Rountree of Sparta, IL.  Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.

Funeral: Private graveside services will be held for the family at a later date.

Interment: Burial will be held at Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, IL.

Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements

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  1. Robert and Kim Barber says:

    Sending prayers and condolences to their families. They will be sorely missed!

  2. Midge (Morrow) Howie Dobyns says:

    Dear families, Sorry to read of this sad news. I knew both of them all my life as I grew up in Sparta. Will keep all of you in my prayers.

  3. shirley zimmerman says:

    Seems impossible and I still look for her at wal-mart. They will be missedl Prayers for all.

  4. Terri Dobyns says:

    Still can’t believe this news, think about them both everyday. So very sorry for your loss, you’re all in my prayers.

  5. Elaine Mines Erich says:

    My thoughts and prayers so out to the family .I am so sorry for you lost

  6. Valerie Fulton Metcalf says:

    Vicki so sorry to hear about your dad and step mom. I really miss you.loved our talks.

  7. Joyce Reeves-Neemann says:

    I knew Barb since school at Sparta. We were neighbors in Sparta when Our kids were toddlers. I had lost track of her over the years. So sorry to learn of her passing. Prayers for her family.

  8. Linda Ervin says:

    Barb was such a valuable asset to the thrift store and such a nice lady . Weds will not be the same . Will miss her . Did not know earl but I am prayin for their family .

  9. Sharon Hill says:

    Nice couple they always treated me good every time I seen.them.. condolences to the family.

  10. Jim lovins says:

    Sorry for your loss I knew earl and barb from the crains nest I enjoyed Talking to them while in sparta

  11. Melinda Lodge says:

    RIP my friends. I will cherish all our wonderful memories.

  12. Claudia Kerens says:

    We will so miss Barb and Earl’s conversation and socialization @ Sparta Country Club. Condolences to the family and prayers for all.

12 Comments

  1. We will so miss Barb and Earl’s conversation and socialization @ Sparta Country Club. Condolences to the family and prayers for all.

    Reply
  2. RIP my friends. I will cherish all our wonderful memories.

    Reply
  3. Sorry for your loss I knew earl and barb from the crains nest I enjoyed Talking to them while in sparta

    Reply
  4. Nice couple they always treated me good every time I seen.them.. condolences to the family.

    Reply
  5. Barb was such a valuable asset to the thrift store and such a nice lady . Weds will not be the same . Will miss her . Did not know earl but I am prayin for their family .

    Reply
  6. I knew Barb since school at Sparta. We were neighbors in Sparta when Our kids were toddlers. I had lost track of her over the years. So sorry to learn of her passing. Prayers for her family.

    Reply
  7. Vicki so sorry to hear about your dad and step mom. I really miss you.loved our talks.

    Reply
  8. My thoughts and prayers so out to the family .I am so sorry for you lost

    Reply
  9. Still can’t believe this news, think about them both everyday. So very sorry for your loss, you’re all in my prayers.

    Reply
  10. Seems impossible and I still look for her at wal-mart. They will be missedl Prayers for all.

    Reply
  11. Dear families, Sorry to read of this sad news. I knew both of them all my life as I grew up in Sparta. Will keep all of you in my prayers.

    Reply
  12. Sending prayers and condolences to their families. They will be sorely missed!

    Reply

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