David Patterson Crater

MINOOKA — Mr. David Patterson Crater, 84, of Minooka, passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet, Ill.

Born April 3, 1927, in Custer Park, Ill., David was the son of the late George and Mary (Patterson) Crater, Sr.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during the Korean conflict.

David retired from the Laborer’s Union, Local 75, following 50 years of employment. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Erlene (Lyme) Crater, whom he married in 1950 in Joliet, Ill.; two sons, David (Sandra) Crater of Milford, Ill., and Larry (Tracy) Crater of Minooka; one daughter, Evie (Frank) Rowley of Channahon, Ill.; brother, George (Marilyn) Crater of Fort Myers, Fla.; sisters, Rosemary (late Einer) Sorensen of Morris, Luella (Mike) Crater of Braidwood, Ill., Carolyn (Charles) Taylor of Stockland, Ill., Vivian (Darell) Greffis of San Diego, Calif., and Wanda (Donald) Mounier of San Diego, Calif; sister-in-law, Viola Crater of South Wilmington, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Crater, Sr.; and one sister, Ida Crater Mays.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd., Braidwood Chapel. Pastor Mary Zajac will officiate.

Visitation will be two hours preceding services on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Interment with military honors will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be directed to the Minooka United Methodist Church.

R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd., 401 E. Main St., Braidwood, Ill., is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (815) 458-2336.