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Craig Howard Morton, 68, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015, at his residence, after a courageous 11 ½ year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Congregational Church, Moline, with The Reverend Craig Jan-McMahon officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, where Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #299 will present military honors. Visitation is 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Memorials may be made to the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 750 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund.
Craig was born May 5, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Howard John and Laurel Ann (Klima) Morton. He married Shirley Anne LeBeau on July 24, 1971, in the Savanna Army Depot Chapel in Savanna, Illinois.
He started school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved with his family to Moline when he was ten years old. He attended Moline schools until early in his senior year of high school, then moved to Iowa City, where he graduated from City High School in 1965. After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1970 with a B.A. in History, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, serving as a criminologist. He served two years on active duty and one year of Active Reserve.
In 1972, Craig started civil service as a budget analyst in the Weapons Command on the Rock Island Arsenal. After a year, he was transferred to the Missile Command on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and in 1979 he transferred back to Rock Island. He retired in 2001 as the Budget Officer for the Engineering Support Directorate.
Craig’s hobbies were golfing, reading, country western dancing, and traveling, especially to tropical locations. Craig and Shirley’s usual highlight of the year always came early with their annual trip to Maui, Hawaii, in January. Craig was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and had season football tickets for many years. He was a member of First Congregational Church, Moline, VVA Chapter #299, and the Mississippi Valley Country Dance Association.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley, of Moline; a daughter, Lotus Vortex of Richmond, Virginia; a son, Tyler Morton of Camarillo, California; his aunt, Beth Koeppen of Hutchinson, Minnesota; cousins, Tom (Sandy) Koeppen of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Kelly Boehmer of Wayzata, Minnesota, Rich (Dolly) Koeppen of Hutchinson, and Annie (Jerry) Portele of Issaquah, Washington; his mother-in-law, Luci LeBeau of Rock Island, a brother-in-law, Bill (Beverly) LeBeau of Syracuse, New York, and a sister-in-law, Michele (Doug) O’Reilly of Villa Park, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Mark and Brent.
Craig’s family would like to thank Dr. Stewart Garneau and his wonderful staff for their help over the years. Also, the family would like to thank all of his friends for their concerns, prayers, and words of encouragement.
Visit Craig’s personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories, condolences, and pictures, and light a free candle in his memory.
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Craig Sanders
I met Craig in 6th grade at Jefferson Elementary. He was new that year. We both sat in the front row on the first day of class looking at each other occasionally but not saying anything. I remember wondering what his name was...Bill, Tom, John. I was relieved to hear his name was Craig. There weren't a lot of us back then. So "Craig" didn't sound so unusual.
He was always friendly and ready with a smile as I recall. That continued through to just recently when he sent a nice hello to me on this MHS site. I thought it would be nice to have chatted with him at one of the reunion events.
He was a pearl.
Suzee Carson (Branch)
Oh no. This was a shock since I'd thought Craig was doing very well, all things considered. Last I saw him was at Hafner's gathered with a group of old friends. Jon Chapman, Billy Warfield, Barb Warfield, Bob Groene and myself. I've known him since grade school and seems like the last few times being together we connected in a more meaningful way. Craig was easy-going, kind and genuine. I considered him a true friend and will miss him. Rest in peace, Craig Morton.
Cheryl Anderson (Lehew)
I am so sorry to hear this. I remember when Craig came to Jefferson. He was always a friendly, kind person. I enjoyed talking with him at the last reunion, and was looking forward to seeing him again. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Carol Weissmann (Mauck)
I just wanted to share a memory. The week after my mother died, I went to my home church in the quad cities, the United Church of Christ, and Craig was there to welcome me as the usher, in his warm and friendly way, I was all alone and very sad, but his words were a great comfort to me as he shared my sadness. He told me how he often saw my mother there with her church friends. It was a great comfort to hear these words and his kindness was very touching. I will always remember the comfort his thoughtful comments gave me.
Carol Mauck
Bill Warfield
I've known CRAIG since grade school at Thomas Jefferson. It came of a shock to hear of his passing. We played some golf together and laughed a lot at stupid humor! We'll all miss him. He is, was, and always will be one great guy!
Love.........BILL