Gary W. Craver, 69, of Rock Island, died Saturday, September  10, 2016 at home surrounded by his family.  Cremation rites were accorded.  Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church, Moline.  A memorial visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.  Memorials may be made in care of Salem Lutheran Church, Moline or the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Gary was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on July 31, 1947, a son of Edwin C. "Ted" and Lilyan C. Poduska Craver.  Gary served six years with the Iowa National Guard while attending the University of Northern Iowa where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration.  He married Barbara Reis on June 14, 1969 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Gary was an avid sports fan.  He enjoyed baseball, football, disc golf and pickleball.  He played slowpitch softball and loved working out.  Gary also enjoyed reading, collecting antique baseball cards and trains.  He loved visiting the ocean and was a history buff.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barbara Craver, Rock Island; children (and spouses), Jeffrey (Jill) Craver, Taylor Ridge and Julie (William) Smith, Milan; grandchildren, Chloe, Dylan, Grady, Ava, Cooper, Bode, Quinten and Walker; sister, Rita (Richard) Congdon, Cedar Falls, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.