Barbara Jo CRAFTON

CRAFTON, KETCHUM, CROSS, VULGAMOTT, SCOTT, SCHRAD, MERRILEES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/16/2011 at 20:45:24

January 28, 1957 -- April 13, 2011

BELMOND, IA - Barbara Jo Crafton, 54, of Dows, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at her home in Dows. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 18, at the United Church of Rowan. The Rev. Nancy Hoffmeister will officiate. Burial will take place in Graceland cemetery near Rowan. Visitation be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Dugger Funeral Home, 100 N. Lee St. in Dows, and will continue one hour prior to services at church on Monday. Memorials may be made in Barbara Crafton's name to the family. Dugger Funeral Home, 100 N. Lee St., Dows.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
April 16, 2011

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Barbara Jo Crafton, age 54, of Dows, passed away Wednesday April 13, 2011 at her home in Dows. Funeral services for Barbara Crafton were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, 2011 at the United Church of Rowan. Pastor Nancy Hoffmeister officiated. Burial will take place in Graceland cemetery near Rowan. Visitation for Barbara Crafton was held from 5 – 7 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Dugger Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in Barbara Crafton's name to the family.

Barbara Jo, the daughter of Verle and Pat Ketchum Crafton, was born January 28, 1957 in Belmond. She grew up in the Rowan area. Barbara began attending school at the elementary school in Rowan, then attended and graduated from the Belmond High School in 1975. Barbara married Galyn Cross in 1975; to this union two children were born, Jennifer and Adam. Barbara later was married to Paul Vulgamott for a time. Throughout Barbara’s life, she worked in various capacities. First and foremost, Barbara was a housewife and mother. She worked at the Belmond and Dows Health Care Centers, Dows Pharmacy, Dows Grocery Store, Caseys, and various other businesses in the Dows and Williams area. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Dows Ambulance as a First Responder. Later, Barbara worked for Winnebago in Hampton and Haps Air Service in Ames. Most recently, Barbara worked as the office manager for Parks of Iowa in Ellsworth prior to her illness. Barbara is remembered most importantly for the love she had for her family. She was devoted to attending her children's activities. She enjoyed researching her family genealogy, crocheting, tatting, and was a recreational golfer. Barbara had a special lady’s golfing group which she enjoyed having fun with both on and off the golf-course. As a child she belonged to 4-H and was a baptized and confirmed member of the United Church of Rowan. Later Barbara served as church secretary for the United Methodist Church in Dows and served on the Williams City Council. Barbara also belonged to the Dows American Legion Auxiliary, helping with numerous monthly dinners. Barbara enjoyed staying busy, and was always looking for ways to help others. She was very instrumental in the success of the recent fundraiser benefit for the family of and baby, Ava Braun.

Barbara is survived by her children, Jennifer Scott and Steven of Osceola: Adam Cross of Williams; parents, Verle and Pat Crafton of Rowan; two step grand-daughters, Amanda Jo Schrad and Anthony: Jessica Scott; step great-granddaughter, Reagan; sister, DeAnn Merrilees and Robert of St Charles, ON; brother, Randall Crafton and Joann of Ft Madison; sister-in-law, Jolene Crafton of Norwalk; two nephews, Jason and Matthew, and numerous other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her brother, James, in 1988 and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Dows Advocate - Dows, Iowa
April 2011