DECATUR - Robert A. "Colonel" Craycroft, 84, went peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 13, 2012 at his home with his sons at his side. Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 15th with services at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 16th at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Macon United Methodist Church, or to Kemmerer Village Children's Home. Colonel was born on June 9, 1927 to Wilbur and Elma (Wicker) Craycroft in Macon, Illinois. Upon graduation from Macon High School, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he earned the rank of Machinist' Mate Second Class, serving aboard USS MYRMIDON (ARL-16) from 1944 to 1946 and was a member of the occupation forces on Iwo Jima. On November 27, 1955, he married D'Arlene F. Cowgill. The two made their home on the family farm in Macon until retiring in 1995. They raised three sons, beef cattle, corn, and soybeans. Robert was a life-long member of Macon United Methodist Church, a Lifetime member of American Legion (Post 105), served as an officer in the Macon County Farm Bureau, and carried out a special mission with the Macon Fire Department for over 40 Christmas Seasons. Colonel participated in the evolution of farming from draft horse teams to satellite yield monitoring. He shared his passion and experience as a mentor for many young farmers, and would speak proudly of their accomplishments and success. He was active in Farm Bureau outreach programs, church activities, volunteered as a member of the Macon County Honor Guard, and organized an annual reunion of his WWII ship's crew. He was a notable story-teller and an excellent listener. Preceeding him in death are his beloved wife of 49 years D'Arlene, his brother and partner in farming John F. (Jack), and his granddaughter Sarah Craycroft. He is survived by his sisters Mrs. Richard (Wilma) Singer of Champaign, and Mrs. Lloyd (Lodi) Tomlinson of Orland Park; sons Aaron and wife Madeline of Decatur, Bart and wife Suzanne of Macon, and Eric and wife Annmarie of Mission Viejo, CA. His grandchildren are Adam (Aaron/Maddie) of Memphis, TN, Nathan and Allison (Eric/Annmarie) of Mission Viejo, CA, step-great-granddaughter Haley Fisher (Bart/Suzanne) of Maroa, and great-grandson Gabriel Craycroft (Sarah) of Decatur. He also leaves behind cherished nieces Linda (Marc) Sims, Carol (Don) Lipskey, Joni (David) Bertle, Karen (Curt) Beringer, Jill (Tom) Gaynor and nephews Max and Bill (Toni) Georgi, Rick (Lynn) Singer, Mark (Gail), Steve (Debbie) and Vince (Shelley) Craycroft and their families. Colonel was a kind, fair, and honest man who personified a passage by Homer, "He was a friend to man, and he lived in a house by the side of the road." He welcomed each person that he met as a potential friend. His warm smile and generous heart will long be remembered by those whose lives that he touched. Colonel's family wishes to thank our friend Helen Brown, our church family and Pastor Ken Harris at Macon United Methodist Church, the kind staff of Keystone Meadows, the skilled physicians and caring nurses at Decatur Memorial Hospital Ward 5100 and Heather Claypool, Jim Galligan of DMH Hospice, Diana Forden, Susanna Hendricks, Dee Dee Brown, Lauren Carpenter, Cathy Fuiten, Jerry Blackshare, and many wonderful friends for your compassion and support during his brief illness.