Obituary of James F. Crater

James F. Crater
"Junior"  "Freddie"

Age 82, of Crest Hill, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, March 22, 2019, at home with family at his side.  He was born May 23, 1936 in Braidwood, IL, to the late Stella (nee Stasney) and Fred Crater.  He attended St. Mary Nativity and St. John's Grade Schools as well as Joliet Township High School and Joliet Catholic High.

Beloved husband of Mary Ann (nee Bertino) Crater; loving father of Renee (Nick) Vulgaris, Jeff (Fran) Crater, Michelle (Andy) Arnston and Jayme (Shawn) Monroe; devoted grandfather of George Nicholas and Katie (Ryan) Vulgaris, Marisa (Kyle) and Tyler (Renee) Crater, Alexandria "Allie" and Lindsey Arnston, Colt "C.J." (Katelin) and Ashlee (Jason) Monroe; proud great-grandfather of Revan Monroe; and brother-in-law of Ray Bertino.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim, a U.S. Army veteran and member of American Legion Post #1080, was a retired butcher.  He worked primarily at Ordman's and Wally's supermarket and eventually retired from Sam’s Club.  He was a huge JCA football fan and served as an official for many years with the IHSA.

Visitation James F. Crater will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2019, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet.  Funeral services Thursday morning March 28, 2019, 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N. Chicago St., Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will take place at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice.  For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com