Charlotte Marie Craft, 84, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away December 14, 2023. She was born January 27, 1939 in Newton Falls, Ohio, to the late Michael and Anna (Vasko) Capp. She married Floyd Craft on November 1, 1960, and he survives in Bowling Green. Charlotte was a first generation American and was proud of her family history; her parents emigrated to the United States from Vel’aty, Czechoslovakia in the early 1920’s via Ellis Island. They settled in eastern Ohio, opening a grocery store in the front of their home giving Charlotte her first experience with retail business.
Charlotte owned and operated Ben Franklin (Ben’s) and Ace Hardware in Bowling Green alongside her husband Floyd for over 47 years (they sold Ace Hardware in January of this year). She had a deep passion for the stores and loved working everyday with all of the staff that she considered family. She continued working 7 days a week until recent illness kept her at home. Charlotte was an exquisite gardener and enjoyed spending time tending to her gardens at home. She had a special place in her heart for all of her cats over the years. Charlotte was known for her sharp sense of humor and she loved people who would play along and give a little of that sass back to her.
Along with her husband of 63 years, Floyd, Charlotte is survived by her daughters Leisa Craft-Anderson (Mike) of Blairstown, New Jersey, Kathy Craft of Nagoya, Japan, and Amy Craft Ahrens (Todd) of Bowling Green; as well as her grandchildren, Augusta Anderson-Jeffer (Greg) of Bowling Green and Weston Anderson of Bowling Green.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Anne Kaufman, Helen Sabo, Michael Capp and Joseph Capp.
Services for Charlotte will be private for the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be given in her memory to the Wood County Humane Society.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the Craft family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
