Joseph L. McCracken Obituary (1925 - 2016)

Joseph L. McCracken, 90, of Pana died Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 10:26 p.m. peacefully in his home after failing health for the last month. He was surrounded by family friends and left to be with his late wife, Joan just in time for Valentine's Day. He was born May 17, 1925 in Ramsey, IL, the son of John Nelvin McCracken and Louise Hoffman McCracken. He was a graduate of Pana Township High School in 1942 and attended Millikin University prior to his graduation from St. Louis College of Mortuary Science. Joseph facilitated the establishment of the McCracken Funeral Home (now McCracken-Dean) in Pana in 1947 with his mother Louise, and brother John. He married Joan Warren on September 5, 1943 and they had one daughter, Jan. He is survived by his daughter Jan McCracken Alexander and husband Kimble, Delavan, IL; granddaughter: Dr. Carrie Alexander-Albritton husband Jeremy, Port Byron, IL; three great grandchildren: Avarie, Brynlee, Grayson Albritton and long time extended family members Tom Mayola Dean, Pana, IL. Also surviving are his five nieces; Julie McCracken (Cliff Zolna), Jean (Alan) Hefner, Joan (Pat) Borders, Joellyn (Miles) Feller, Willow (Andy) Patterson and two nephews; Michael (Yvonne) McCracken and Dale Warren and several great and great-great nieces and nephews. Joe's two primary caregivers: Sue Taylor and Linda Evans also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan in 2012, his parents, brother one niece, Rebekah McCracken. Joseph's career trajectory was highlighted by his continuous activities within various professional organizations. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) in 1960 and served as President in 1964-1965. In 1965, Joe was elected to the Board of Governors of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). He served as Elected Vice-President in 1968-1969 and President in 1969-1970. He was active within the funeral profession through his service on the Advisory Board to the committee that pursued and eventually established the Department of Mortuary Science at Southern Illinois University in 1966-1974. He was the keynote speaker, for numerous grief and loss related events at the local, state, regional, and national levels and certified for membership in the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice in 1991. Joe's community service and involvement include National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (Retired Chairmanship, 1987), Pana Hospital Board President, 67-year member of Pana Lions Club where he was past president and Melvin Jones Fellow in the Lions International Foundation in 1994, Pana Elks Lodge #1261, Pana Lodge #226 AFAM over 60 years, Scottish Rite Council and Ansar Shrine Temple, Springfield. He served on the Board of Directors of People's Bank and Trust for 22 years retiring as Vice Chairman in 1997. Joe was an active, long time member, of the First United Methodist Church in Pana where he was in the chancel choir over 30 years and past chair of the church board. He also frequently attended the Christ Tabernacle Church in Herrick, IL. Joe McCracken had a genuine love for caring for and helping others, especially those in Pana. He was selected Grand Marshall of the Pana Labor Day Parade in 1976. He was inducted into the Pana High School Wall of Fame in 2000, for his humanitarian leadership. Joe was made an honorary member of the Pana Fire Department and an Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Christian County in 2010. Funeral Information Funeral services will be Saturday, February 20, 2016 in the First United Methodist Church, 619 Kitchell Avenue, Pana, IL at 10 a.m. Pastor Stephen Palmer, Pastor Ric Miles and Bishop Thomas Suey officiating. Burial will be in Rosemond Grove Cemetery, Rosamond, IL. Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home. Additional parking will be at First Baptist Church, 1 block south of the funeral home.