Frederic J. "Spike" Craig

Frederic J. “Spike” Craig, 69, a lifelong well-known Chicora resident, passed away while in the company of his loving wife and family on Saturday afternoon July 8, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot following a brief illness. 

Frederic was born in Butler on April 17, 1954. He was the son of the late Robert E. “Sparky” and Ruth M. Holben Craig. 

Spike was a 1972 graduate of Karns City Area High School.  He was a lifelong member of the Chicora United Methodist Church. He was a life member of the Chicora Fire Department, and was a long-time member of the Chicora Moose Lodge. Spike retired in 2014 from Sonneborn in Petrolia following 42 years of service.

Spike spent many years working on his oil wells with his brother Ed. The Craig family also owned and operated Wally Gas Company in Kittanning and Silverside Swimming Pool in Chicora for many years.

Spike always enjoyed going to camp. There were many great times at Sparky’s Frost Camp, then JEDS Lodge which he shared with his brothers, and finally Spike’s own camp in Marienville that he started building in 2010. Attending Bear and Deer Camp with friends and family is what he looked forward to the most.

Spike was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was a skilled archer and proudly belonged to the Hoffman Hill Bowhunters. He was also proud of the bear he got in 2014 near camp. At home, he was a member of Happy Hunters and The North Butler Hunting and Fishing Club. In Marienville, Spike was a member of the Vets Club and the Marienville Rod and Gun Club. 

Spike was especially proud of his daughters and was affectionately “Papa” to his four grandchildren, who were the light of his life. He most recently has enjoyed giving the kids rides on his side by side. 

Spike is survived by his wife, Cathy L. Guitteau Craig, whom he married at the Chicora United Methodist Church on June 8, 1985. Also surviving are two daughters, Ashley M. Summerville and her husband, David, and Mallory R. Trimbur and her husband, Kevin, all of Chicora; four grandchildren, Paxton and Larkin Summerville and Sawyer and Nash Trimbur; two brothers, Dennis L. Craig and his wife, Cindy, and Edward E. Craig and his wife, Pat, all of Chicora; three sisters, Janis S. Reeves and her husband, Bill, of Chicora, Brenda A. Mazzotta and her husband, Adrian, of Mars, and Tyra R. Francis and her husband, Jeff “Larry”, of Chicora; a sister-in-law, Betty Craig of Chicora, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and many friends. 

In addition to his parents, Spike was preceded in death by his brother, John R. “Chester” Craig, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Helen Guitteau. 

Friends will be received at Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 12-3 and 6-9 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Chicora United Methodist Church with the Rev. Beverly Roscoe, church pastor, and the Rev. Dennis Barger, officiating. Interment will be in Hemphill Cemetery in Chicora. Memorial contributions in Spike’s memory may be made to the Chicora Fire Department, Drawer F, Chicora PA 16025. For more information or to send a condolence please visit www.Hilefh.com. Members of the Chicora Fire Department will conduct a memorial service at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Funeral Home. Members of the Chicora Moose Lodge will hold a memorial service for their departed brother at 6 p.m. in the funeral home.

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