Craig James Beck, age 42, was found deceased at his residence, 16311 State Highway # 86, Saegertown, PA on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 where he had resided since September. He lived most of his life in the Cambridge Springs area except while being stationed in Charleston, SC during his military service. Born on June 3, 1969 in Meadville, PA, he was the son of James Edward Beck and Virginia Lee Ann Drake Beck.
Craig was a graduate of both Cambridge Springs High School and Crawford County Vo-Tech School in 1987. He worked in the tool and die industry for French Creek Valley Tool & Die and for Beck Tool & Die before entering the US Air Force in 1992 where he served his country for six years. After his discharge he worked at several jobs in the area
In Craig’s free time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and camping. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Family members surviving Craig in addition to his mother and father – James and Virginia Drake Beck of Cambridge Springs; and his grandmother – Mildred Grace Merritt of Venango
are three sisters – Stephanie Ann Beck-Flowers of Erie; Kimberly Ann Gorton and her husband, William of Cambridge Springs; and Carrie Ann Schenk and her husband, Daniel of Cambridge Springs; also nieces and nephews – Brevin, Breya, and Kamryn Flowers; Joshua, Preston, and Alyssa Gorton; and Corbin and Juliann Schenk together with many cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9. Vigil prayer services will be held at 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua in Cambridge Springs on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend David Poulson pastor of the Church officiating. Interment will be in St. James Cemetery, Crossingville.
To the Beck family,
I am very sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. I met him when he was stationed in Charleston, I worked with Jennifer at the DMV. We had some great times togethor. He spoke of his family “back home” fondly. I pray that happy memories of Craig bring you comfort during this difficult time.
God Bless,
Jennie
jim, ginger & girls,
i hope you know how truely sorry our whole family is about this. craig was a part of our family for 14yrs…and in those yrs we had some very good times. i remember craig going to our family reunions & palying volleyball. the times we all spent at denise’s just being family & having a nice time. i’ll always remember his kindness when i was going through something & he invited me to s.c. to stay w him & jen. i loved him for that…and continued to love & think of him through everything. may god give you the strength to get through this terrible time….and keep the memories & good times you all had w craig foremost in your thoughts.
i’ll be praying for all of you….god bless & please take care.
mary mcelhaney
Jim, Ginger & Girls:
Our condolences for your great loss. Through a marriage- we were fortunate enough to find a friendship. We’ll always remember Craig in his earlier years- always laughing – always smiling.
It’s funny the things kids remember. Our oldest son-who’s now 21 – & at the time when we knew Craig was probably around 7-8 yoa- was told the other day of this terrible mishap. He still remembers hitting golf balls w/ his Uncle Craig in the cow field next to his house & he also remembers eating all the jumbo shrimp he could get his little hands on with Uncle Craig & his family.
The Beck family always was & still is I’m sure a GREAT family. Your love for one another will see you through this.
Sadly missed by The Ferringer’s
Jim, Ginger, Steph, Kimberly, & Carrie.. I am so sorry for your loss..words cannot describe how heartbroken I am..although he was my ex..we had some great memories!!! I was alway so thankful to have the inlaws I had..you two were like second parents to me..you helped Craig & I out so much..I will always be eternally grateful. Steph you were a great friend..& wow Kimberly & Carrie were like my 2 lil sisters I watched grow up.. May God help you & the entire family through this very difficult time..& please know how truly sorry I am that your are going through this. Sincerley Jennifer Mcelhanry
dear ginger and family, i just wanted to offer you all my most heart felt condolences. i heard to late to attend the viewing and for that i am sorry. you will all be in my prayers at this most painful time. may GOD attend to your aching hearts and give you some comfort. if there is anything i can do to ease your suffering please do not hesitate to contact me ginger. i love you dear friend and am so very sorry you are going through this. with love, melissa drake
My condolensces to all of you during this difficult time. My heart aches for so many different reasons right now but most of all not being there for my beloved friend. I want you to know that many years ago Craig saved me from despair and in Craigs unique way basically told me to Man-Up, so I did and joined the Air Force. If it were not for Craig knocking some sense into me (literally) who knows where I would be. You all were my 2nd family and Craig meant the world to me, he was and will always be my brother at heart. I know Craig is in heaven and in the hands of our good Lord who has already put a huge smile on his face, I can see it now with that crooked grin. I love your son and bother and know he will always have a special place in my heart, FOREVER! God be with you and give your family the stength to make it through these difficult times. Love and Prayers, Bob Slayton
So sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers
Jim, Ginge,Steph, Kimberly, Carrie and family,
I wanted to let you all know how sorry I am for your loss! Craig will always have a special place in my heart! He was such a great child hood friend. So many great memories of him. I am so glad that we ran in to each other again later in our lives as who would have thought, Elizebethtown PA the two of us would randomly run into each other! We had so much fun down there laughing, talking about old times and even dancing. I felt like a kid again. He will be greatly missed by me and great memories of him I will always have. My deepest sympathies to you all and you are all in my prayers. If I can help any of you in anyway, plz let me know.
Love,
Jodi Smith