W. Craig Nees

W. Craig Nees, 67, of Poland, Ind., passed away at Union Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 following a brief battle with cancer.

He was born July 2, 1949, in South Bend, the son of Harold and Betty (Pitts) Nees.

He graduated from Brazil High School with the class of 1967. He graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor's Degree in economics.

Craig worked for First Financial Bank for many years. He also worked for Brazil Autoplex and York Chevrolet in Brazil. He retired in 2013 from York Chevrolet in Greencastle.

Craig was a founding member of the Poland Fire Protection Territory and had served as its director for the past two years. He was also a 38-year member of the Poland Fire Department.

Craig is a member of the Zion United Church of Christ in Poland and had served in various capacities with the Clay County 4-H Council, Greenwell Scholarship Board of Directors, the Clay County Extension Board and the holding corporation for the new Northview High School and Clay City Elementary and High School that were built in 1986.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Betty Nees, and father-in-law Richard "Dick" Hawkins.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Nees, whom he married July 24, 1971; three children, Kelly Jo Nees-Perkins and husband Grant, Kerry Ann Woolery and husband Jack and Kyle Allan Nees and wife Brittany; grandchildren Gavin Perkins, Gage Perkins, Trinity Trefz, Jasmine Rogers, Emma Woolery and Parker Boone Nees; a brother, Larry Nees and wife Vicki of West Lafayette; nieces Melissa Hauger, Tara Kempf and Naomi Marshall; nephews Matthew Marshall and Luke Marshall; mother-in-law Virginia Hawkins and a sister-in-law, Joyce Marshall.

Services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at Zion United Church of Christ in Poland with Pastor Paul Zurcher officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until time of services.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Poland Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Poland, IN 47868.

Visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com to light a candle in his memory.