Herbert Charles Craft, co-founder of the Craft-Givnish Funeral Home in Abington Township, passed away on Monday, August 19 at Ann’s Choice in Warminster following a struggle with Alzheimer’s. He was 91 years old and had lived at the facility since 2010.
A longtime member of the funeral industry, Mr. Craft’s grandfather owned a funeral home in downtown Philadelphia where he helped run errands, man the door, and assist with arrangements as a young boy. After graduating from Germantown High School, Temple University, and Eckels School of Mortuary Science, Mr. Craft and his father founded their funeral home at 1801 Old York Road.
“Herb became an innovative funeral director, sometimes making his dad nervous because the funeral industry was staid and full of regulations,” his obituary said. “He mentored younger members of the industry and proudly spoke of the two Mary’s who kept his funeral home running smoothly. His work was quite successful, and they prospered, with his dad finally writing him a note about being a good son and businessman.”
Following his father’s passing in 1995, he was approached by John Givnish, owner of the John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Philadelphia, with an offer to purchase his business.
He was an active member of Kiwanis, Willow Grove Rotary, Upper Dublin PTA, Gloria Dei Church in Huntingdon Valley and, in his later years, a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Abington Memorial Hospital and volunteered for many years at the June Fete Fair run by the Women’s Board.
Mr. Craft was drafted into the U.S. Army National Guard in Philadelphia and served at Fort Sam Houston, TX, before being sent to Officers Candidate School and becoming a 1st Lieutenant in the Army National Guard of Maryland on August 26, 1961. The next day, he became a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Calling hours will be held at the Craft-Givnish Funeral Home on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 N. Easton Rd. from 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. followed by his funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Ann’s Choice Philanthropy Department, 20000 Ann’s Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974, either online at ACH Donation-Ann’s Choice or by check to Ann’s Choice Restricted Fund, noting Benevolent Care and Herb’s name on the memo line, or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038, “In memory of Herbert Craft” on the memo line.
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