- Visitation
Monday, July 3, 2023
9:00 to 10:00 am
Towerview Baptist Church, Shiloh, IL
- Service
Monday, July 3, 2023
10:00 am
Towerview Baptist Church, Shiloh, IL
- Full Obituary
Boyce M. “Mac” McCraw, 91, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at his daughter’s house.
A Valentine’s Day baby, Mac was born February 14, 1932, to Howard and Iris (nee Thompson) McCraw in Vidor, TX. On December 28, 1957, he married the love of his life, Lorene (Nee Brodbeck) McCraw in Port Acres, TX.
Mac lived a long and fruitful life filled with faith, family, and service. His nearly 30 years of service to his country included a tour with the Navy during the Korean War and a yearlong deployment with the Coast Guard to Vietnam. He cruised the Atlantic, Pacific, Artic Circle, Caribbean, and the Mississippi River. Mac’s dedication to service crossed over to his life-long faith in Jesus Christ while strengthening his church as a Deacon, cook at Sunday potlucks, handyman, and willingness to help wherever needed. He was a Mason for over 61 years, joining his father's lodge in 1961 and achieving the rank of Master Mason while most recently serving as a member of the Trenton 109 and Lebanon 110 lodges. Mac always enjoyed a good laugh, socializing with friends, a good meal, a better dessert, and any opportunity to fix something broken.
In all things, Mac’s love and devotion to his family shone through. He loved his four children and, even more so, his four grandchildren. His pride was obvious and constant. However, the true love of his life was his beautiful bride of 58 years, Lorene. She was his wife, partner, advisor, lover, mother of his children and grandmother to their earthly rewards for being loving parents. They were a couple in every sense of the word.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lorene McCraw, and parents, Howard and Iris McCraw.
Mac is survived by his children, Howard Walter McCraw II, Lebanon, IL, Samuel (Beth) McCraw, Belleville, IL, LaDonna (Terry) Christ, Belleville, IL, Gayle L. McCraw, Belleville, IL; grandchildren, Randi Christ, Austin Christ, Anna McCraw, and Tobi McCraw; and several beloved cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to Towerview Baptist Church, Shiloh, IL, or Masonic Lodge #110, Lebanon, IL.
Visitation: Monday, July 3, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at Towerview Baptist Church, Shiloh, IL
Funeral Service: Monday, July 3, 2023, at 10:00 am, Towerview Baptist Church, Shiloh, IL
Clergy: Pastor Ron Woods
Interment: College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, IL
Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
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