Barbara Therese Craig

Barbara Therese Craig passed away at home on September 3, 2025. She had been surrounded by the love of her family for the past several months as her health declined. Barbara was born on November 17, 1937 in Joliet, IL, the youngest of five children of Thomas R. (“Rod”) and Margaret (Jaksa) Chamberlin. She grew up in Ridgewood on Joliet’s east side, attended grade school at St. Bernard’s and graduated from St. Francis Academy (Class of ’55). After high school, Barb worked in the accounting department at Illinois Bell Telephone where she made many life-long friends.

In early 1960 while “cruising the loop” on Cass Street, she met a handsome boy from Plainfield at the Silverfross, and on October 22 of that year she walked two doors down Sterling Ave. from home to church to marry Donald Craig. They first settled in New Lenox where, beginning in 1962 and in a span of just under 2 years, 3 children were born: Joel, Peggy, and Donna. Having outgrown their first home and wanting to be closer to Don’s job, the family moved to their current home in Plainfield where Barb ruled the roost for the next 61 years until her passing.

Having given up her job to raise her kids, Barb found other ways to stay busy. She was active for many years in St. Mary Immaculate Mothers’ Club and was a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 99. Some of her former scouts still laugh about those days of afterschool scout meetings in the Craigs’ basement. She also volunteered many years while her kids were involved in Plainfield baseball and softball at the Ottawa St. ballfield concession stand where her giant batches of lemonade (made in her grandmother’s 10 gallon crock) were a hit. When her kids got older, Barb returned to work—first, with a friend from the old neighborhood at Thrifty Mart liquor store in Crest Hill, and later on at the freshman center in Plainfield Central High School’s cafeteria. Barb loved her and Don’s winters in McAllen, TX and their many friends made there over the years, a good Amish flea market, Slovenian potica, and most of all she loved her huge extended family.

Barb is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Donald Craig; her children Joel (Christine Schager) and Peggy; grandchildren Michael Craig (Tiffany), Anna Craig (Matt Carlson), Stephanie Richardson (Troy), Jimmy Craig, and Alexandra Craig; greatgrandchildren Olivia, Jordan, Victoria, and Makayla Richardson. A sister, Rita (the late Charles) Wright and sister-in-law Clara Chamberlin also survive. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Donna (2022), her parents, and her siblings Margaret (Dr. Edward M.) Svetich, Dr. Thomas R. “Timmy” (Majorie) Chamberlin DDS, and Robert M. Chamberlin. She was the much-loved “Aunt Barb” to 23 nieces and nephews on the Chamberlin side (as well as their children and grandchildren), 7 of whom predeceased her, including Peggy Svetich Warsaw and her husband Jim with whom she shared a special bond, and her godson Mark Svetich. She also looks forward to reuniting with her best friend from childhood, Kay Dillon Dunbar.

The Craig family is eternally grateful to Residential Hospice of Lisle, and especially Barb’s nurse Marisa, for the kindness, compassion, and dignity with which Barbara was treated during her final months. In gratitude, we request memorials in memory of Barbara T. Craig to The Residential Hospice Foundation, 5440 Corporate Dr. Suite 400, Troy, MI 48098 or visit www.residentialhospicefoundation.org

Visitation for Barbara T. Craig will be September 19, 2025 from 4:00 - 8:00pm at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on September 20, 2025 at 10:00am at Holy Family Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave. Shorewood, IL 60404. Inurnment will follow immediately at Plainfield Township Cemetery, Plainfield, IL 60544.