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PAW PAW – Dennis Ray Cradduck went home to the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, while surrounded by his wife and children, at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.
He was born Sept. 21, 1946, in Mendota, to Earl and Erma (Mittan) Cradduck. He married Anita Hawbaker on Nov. 20, 1965, in Lee.
Dennis was a financial adviser for 21 years, most recently working for Regal Investment Advisors in Rockford. He achieved the distinction of Million Dollar Roundtable twice in his career. Dennis farmed for more than 40 years near Paw Paw, retiring in 2006. He was a director of the Lee County Farm Bureau for 15 years, serving as president from 1981 to 1988. He raised registered Angus cattle, showing them with his family in many state and national shows. He was an elected representative to the Lee County Board for 17 years. He held various church council roles at First Lutheran in Lee. He coached Little League baseball, and was a member of Paw Paw Lions Club, Friends of Massey Harris, and the Illinois and National Angus associations. For the last 3 years, he attended Christ the Rock Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Dennis enjoyed collecting and restoring antique tractors, as well as displaying them in collector events across the state. Dennis loved to travel, experience new things, and meet new people. He felt extremely blessed to have seen many beautiful places with Anita, as well as his children and grandchildren. He was also an avid gardener, finding joy in tending to his rose, lily, and tulip beds.
He is survived by his wife; his brother, Kenneth Cradduck of Paw Paw; his daughter, Chantel (Jim) Jones of Peoria; and his son, Carson (Vicky) Cradduck of Mount Prospect. He was a proud “Poppa” to four grandchildren, Payton Smith and Cooper Jones, and Riley and Luke Cradduck.
He was preceded in death by a daughter in infancy; his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, Reuben and Lucille Hawbaker; one brother-in-law, Reuben “Buzz” Hawbaker; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Hawbaker and Lonnie Cradduck.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Torman Funeral Home in Paw Paw. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, 8330 Newburg Road, Rockford. Burial will be at Wyoming Cemetery in Paw Paw.
Visit www.tormanfuneralhome.com to send condolences.