Ken Craft March 20, 1954 - May 19, 2022
Kenneth
Mark Craft, age 68, of Pine Lake Plainwell, MI died peacefully at home
on May 19, 2022. He fought a courageous 20-year battle with multiple
health & medical issues. Born in Kalamazoo, MI on March 20, 1954, to Ben
& Norma Hoogendoorn, Ken was actually raised by his mother and her 2nd
husband, Pat Craft. Ken always went by the name Ken Craft. At 18 years
old, Ken legally changed his last name from Hoogendoorn to Craft.
Ken attended school in Otsego, MI and went to Otsego High School until
the middle of 10th grade. He always stayed in close contact with his
classmates & friends from OHS Class of 1973 and enjoyed attending class
reunions. After leaving high school, Ken worked for several businesses
including Standard Gas Station, Jensen’s Shoes & Clothing and E&B Shop.
Ken began his final profession as an apprentice to become a Pipe Fitter
with CL Mahoney. Ken was a very hard worker throughout his life and set
a good example for his boys & grandsons. As with all of Ken’s jobs &
projects, if Ken was doing the work, you knew it was going to be done
right. He was a proud Union Member of the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Local
357 serving on numerous board positions, including President, for many
years. He continued to serve & volunteer his time with the Local 357,
never missing a union meeting until he died. Ken worked on the Local 357
Credit Union Board for 30 years.
Ken married Dawn Henderson on May 24, 1975. Together they raised 2 boys,
Casey & Brook. When Casey became a 3rd generation Pipe Fitter to carry
on the family trade and Brook became a Marine, you couldn’t find a more
proud father boasting about his sons. Ken & Dawn have lived on Pine Lake
for 35 years. Ken loved Pine Lake, and he certainly savored his time on
the lake watching fireworks, boating & fishing with his sons, grandsons,
friends, & family. He took great pride in having his sons & grandsons
grow up on Pine Lake.
In his later years, Ken served on the Prairieville Township Board of
Review. He spent his spare time relaxing on his lawn mower, working on
hot rods, flipping houses with Dawn, surfing the internet auctions and
marketplaces for his next deal, project or toy. You never knew what Ken
was going to find and bring home. During his online searches, Ken found
a lot in Mackinaw City, and spend the last couple of years building a
small retreat for he and Dawn to get away and enjoy. Ken was a self-made
man driven by his determination, personal effort, hard work, and
supportive family. He loved to learn and was interested in new things.
Ken shared his knowledge with friends & neighbors who would ask for his
opinion and expertise on many projects through the years. He was always
there when needed or just stopped by to check on your progress.
Ken will be greatly missed by his family & friends. He is survived by
his wife of almost 47 years, Dawn; Sons: Casey (Jessica) Craft & Brook
Craft;
Grandsons: Kegan & Konner Craft;
Brother: Bill (Judy) Hoogendoorn;
Sister: Dyann (Roger) Herr;
Brother-In-Law: Steve (Yvonne) Henderson;
Sister-In-Law: Scarlett (Jim) Bird;
Favorite Mother-In-Law: Rolene Henderson;
Aunt: Mary Resh;
Cousin: Don (Kathy) Resh;
Nieces & Nephews: Brian (Tara) Hoogendoorn, Tiffini (Dan) Cumro, Patrick
(Jill) Hatfield, Brent (Deborah) Henderson, Kelley Courtney, Kyle (Jen)
Bird, & Aaron (Danielle) Bird;
Great Nieces & Nephews: Carsen & Brady Hoogendoorn, Nathon, Logan &
Rhylie Niedzielski, Shayfer Cumro, Josh, Amanda, & Dalton Hatfield,
Elizabeth Henderson, Jeffrey Courtney, Jameson & Ella Bird, Tanner &
Katelin Bird;
Ken was preceded in death by his father Ben Hoogendoorn, his mother
Norma Craft, his stepfather Pat Craft, his father-in-law Bud Henderson
and special cousin Janet Resh.
Ken believed in supporting his community by giving his time, knowledge &
resources. At the end of his life, Ken has already helped support
several future events, knowing he would not be able to attend in person.
In true Ken style, he made arrangements some time ago to donate his body
to the Western Michigan University Medical School of Science. It was
Ken’s wish that they find some answers and cures to help others that are
suffering from similar medical conditions. In accordance with Ken’s
directive, there will be no services. He asks that you take whatever
your donation would have been and spend it having a memorable time with
your loved ones. Life is precious & short, sometimes you have to stop
and take in the moment.
