Craig L. Traver, 77, of Bowling Green, Ohio, passed away at Heritage Corner Assisted Living, Bowling Green, surrounded by his family on April 27, 2024. He was born to Cecil and Jessie (Kurfis) Traver on July 1, 1946, in Toledo. In 1967, after completing Allied Technical School in Chicago, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a SeaBee. Craig was sent to Vietnam in October of 1967, and returned in November of 1968. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1972.
On November 29, 1968, Craig married Sharon L. Rideout in St. John Lutheran Church, Williston, Ohio, and they celebrated over 55 years of marriage. Craig was a member of Plumbers, Steamfitters & Service Mechanics Local Union #50 for 54 years, working as a welder in many area refineries and power plants.
Craig enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, but most of all, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. He and Sharon enjoyed winters in their Florida home in Venice for 13 years. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, where he served as a Worship Assistant, and was a member of the Furniture Pantry and Motor Ministry Teams.
When in Florida, Craig was an active member of Venice United Church of Christ, where he enjoyed ushering and working around the church as part of the Grounds Committee. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW.
Craig is survived by his wife; daughters Jodi Robinson, and Jaci Traver (Kent Schneider), sisters-in-law Mary Ann Traver (Roger) and Darlene (Ron) Traver; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ken and Annamarie Rideout; mother-in-Law Edna Rideout; as well as many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Roger and Ron, and father-in-law Richard Rideout.
Visitation for Craig will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Robinson Walker Funeral Home 501 West St., Genoa, Ohio from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 315 S College Dr, Bowling Green, OH 43402 on Monday, March 6, at 11:00 AM, with fellowship and luncheon to follow in the church Family Life Center. The service will be live streamed at stmarksbg.org and choosing the “Watch Live” option. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to give a donation may consider The Alzheimer’s Assoc., 480 W. Dussell Dr., Suite 140, Maumee, OH 43537, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 315 S College Dr, Bowling Green, OH 43402, Venice United Church of Christ, 620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice, FL, 34293, or Bridge Hospice, 960 W. Wooster St., Bowling Green, OH 43402. The family would like to thank the Mercy Cancer Center, the Staff at Heritage Corner, and Bridge Hospice for their loving care of Craig through his illnesses.
