Mildred Ruth (Yoder) Craft

MILDRED RUTH (YODER) CRAFT, 96, of Wellsburg, WV died peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Wellsburg Health Care. Born September 6, 1928 in Wellsburg, WV, a daughter of the late George W. and Edith (Wareham) Yoder. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband whom she lost tragically on January 22, 1978, while on station during a structure fire at Franklin Volunteer Fire Department from a heart attack. She is also preceded in death by her son, Duane “Denny” Craft; three sisters, Virginia Pizer, Wilma Aracich, and Betty Zonker; and her brother, Charles Yoder. Mildred graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1946. She co-owned Oral C Moving Company for many years and cared for many people in their homes and at St. John’s Hospital. Mildred and her husband Duane were the founding members of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, which was started in their home. She was a lifelong member of the Franklin United Methodist Church, a choir member, a Sunday School teacher, and helped with funeral luncheons. She held memberships in the Ladies of the Elks and the National Camper and Hiker Association where she was Vice-President for many years. She was an active bowler on the “Goodtime Girls Team” and enjoyed her Friday Card Club. Mildred lived a life of service, having spent her life giving of herself to everyone she met, from cooking pies and noodles, to the way she worked while cleaning homes and churches, to helping families in need, and especially the way she cared for her family and friends she loved so much. She is survived by her loving son, Kevin (Peggy) Craft of Wellsburg, WV; sister, Barbara Yoder of Wellsburg; four grandchildren: Denise (Frank) Cortez, Machell Burch, Tanner (Kaylee) Craft, and Hunter (Molly) Craft; four great-grandchildren: Candace (Tommy) Arnett, David Jordan, Anthony Cortez, and Kyra Cortez; three great-great-grandchildren: Thayden and Tommy Arnett, and Wyatt Jordan; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Mullenbach Funeral Home, Follansbee, and again on Thursday, March 27, 2025 until the time of funeral services, at Franklin United Methodist Church, Wellsburg, with Rev. Carl Tribett and Rev. Nelson Nygongo officiating. Interment followed in Franklin Cemetery, Wellsburg. The family would like to thank the staff at Wellsburg Health Care and hospice for all the care Mildred received. Condolences may be left at www.mullenbachfh.com.