He was born April 26, 1919 in Temple, Texas to Carl and Edith (Rose) Craft. He grew up in Temple and on October 12, 1941 married Sybil Kirk there. The couple farmed in Temple until 1956 when they moved with their young family to Ohio. Howard worked for International Harvestor, now Navistar, in Springfield, Ohio until retiring in 1981. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 8437 in Evon, Ohio and also served as post commander. The couple moved to Oconto Falls and became members of Grace Lutheran Church.
Howard enjoyed landscaping, large gardens, going fishing, bird watching and working with family and friends on landscape projects. He had served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Survivors are his wife of 58 years, Sybil; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Florian Kobylarczyk, Sobieski; their family, Joe Alecia Kobylarczyk and their children Morgan and William; Wesley Kobylarczyk and fiancée Jenny Lannoye all of Sobieski; Jason Kobylarczyk and fiancée Shannon Andrews both of DePere; one son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Cherrie Craft, Fairborn, OH; their family, William Elaine butts, Donald Butts and his children, Dylan and Brook, all of Fairborn, OH; Angel Ken Sizer and children, Kara and Jessica, all of Springfield, OH; Wayne Allen Craft and fiancé, Katie, both of Fairborn, OH; a daughter and son-in-law, Hope W. and Raymond Hrabik, Oconto Falls and their children, Clayton Lynn Hrabik, LaCrosse; Nicole Hrabik, Beverly Hrabik and fiance Kevin Huben all of Green Bay; one sister, Mrs. Christine George Walters, Springfield, OH; very special friends, Dave and Fran Nelson and their daughter, Tonya all of Springfield, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Cecil Craft and one sister, Helen Craft.
Friends called at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls after 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of services. Funeral was 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Bill Sutlief officiating.