Jim Craver's Obituary
James Craver, 65, a resident of Centerville, Iowa passed away Thursday, January 08, 2009 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jim was born March 28, 1943, the son of Harlan and Alice Jean (Shanks) Craver, in Centerville, Iowa. He graduated from Centerville High School with the Class of 1961. After high school, Jim attended the University of Iowa where he received a bachelor of business administration degree in 1965. Jim went on to attend Drake University Law School where he obtained his J.D. degree in 1968. At Drake University, Jim met Jennifer ""Ginger"" Cogis. Jim and Ginger were married June 22, 1968 in Gary, Indiana. After law school, Jim moved to Centerville where he practiced law with the Milani Law Firm. In 1988, Jim went into practice on his own, establishing the Craver Law Firm.
Jim was the City Attorney for Centerville for 25 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Mercy Medical Center. He also was a member of the Mercy Medical Legacy Foundation, the Appanoose County Bar Association, and the State Bar of Iowa.
Survivors besides his wife include three sons, Michael (and his wife Kristin) Craver of Dallas, Texas, Marc (and his wife Jamie) Craver of New York, New York, and Matthew (and his wife Amber) Craver of Ladera Ranch, California, and four grandchildren, Noah, Natalie, Noelle, and Cora. Jim is also survived by his Aunt, Virginia Howe, of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Lange Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6-8 PM. Services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa. The services will begin at 10 AM with Pastor Terra Amundson officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials have been established to the Appanoose County Baseball Association, First United Methodist Church, and Friends of the Drake Public Library. Memorial gifts may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
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