Melvin Dewayne Croan

Melvin Dewayne Croan, age 89, of Irvington, Illinois, passed away at 8:24 P.M. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.  He was born on September 26, 1928, in Braman, Oklahoma, the son of the late Archie L. and Ida (Nicholson) Croan.  He married Doris Maye Livesay on September 13, 1952 in Irvington, Illinois and she preceded him in death on March 26, 2018.

Mr. Croan is survived by his niece, Terri Livesay Huttes and husband Randy of Port Charlotte, Florida; nephew, Chris Livesay and wife Trish of Walnut Hill, Illinois; great nephew, Brent Livesay and wife Wendy of Dix, Illinois; great niece, Megan Barton and husband Jake of Walnut Hill, Illinois; brother-in-law, Delbert Livesay of Centralia, Illinois and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Croan.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Croan was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Doris Maye Croan; daughter, Kathleen Croan; brother, Lester L. Croan and sister, Martha Van Hoy.

Mr. Croan was a member of the Irvington United Methodist Church in Irvington, Illinois.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving his country during the Korean War from August 2, 1948 until July 1, 1952.  He was a Staff Sergeant at the time of his separation from the military service.  He was a member of the Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055 and Centralia American Legion Post 446.  He was also a member of the Ruritan Club, Centralia Moose Family Center 1219 and Mount Vernon Goshen Trail Longrifles.  He enjoyed going to the lake house on Centralia Lake to boat with his wife.  He was known to begin water skiing at the age of 72.  He was an avid Saint Louis Cardinals fan.  Mr. Croan loved to go hunting and fishing.  He cherished the time he spent with his wife, especially traveling around the world with her.

Mr. Croan retired as a carman from the Illinois Central Railroad after 37 years of service.  He lived his whole life in Irvington, Illinois.

Graveside Services for Mr. Melvin Dewayne Croan will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Richview Cemetery in Richview, Illinois with Pastor Anita Munden officiating.  Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Saturday.  Interment will follow in Richview Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055.  There will be no public visitation.  Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Croan’s memory to the Irvington United Methodist Church and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Croan’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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