Craig Michael Hertenstein of Noble Township, St Marys, Ohio, age 69, passed away peacefully at 1:22 am on Friday, December 14th, 2018, after a brief illness at home.

Craig was born October 15, 1949, in Lima, Ohio to Harold "Lefty" and Mary (Chivington) Hertenstein. On May 5, 1973, he married Lorraine "Katie" Bubp at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and she survives at home.

He was a great father and is survived by his five sons Josh (Laura) Hertenstein of St. Marys; Skip (Melissa) of Camos, WA; Toby (Dee) Hertenstein; Zach (Kim Krebs) Hertenstein; Seth (Lyndsay) Hertenstein of St. Marys. He is survived by his 28 grandchildren, his pride and joys: Juli, Alex, Samantha, Jack, Bo, AJ, Bella, Huck, Nik, Doc, Katie, Kenzie, Ty, Drew, JJ, Ali, Tony, Austin, Abbi, Amy, Dylan, Luke, Benson, Maddox, Frankie, Crew, Finlay and Beasley. Craig is also survived by his siblings - Kris (John) Yancik of West Alexandria, OH; Jeff (Linell) Hertenstein; Jodi Hertenstein; Doug (Rachel) Hertenstein of St Marys; in-laws - Kyle (Lyn) Bubp; Kevin (Malinda) Bubp of St. Marys; Bev (Joe) Westerfield of Celina; Melanie Curl of Wapak; uncle Tom Brodbeck of Warren, IN; aunts - Sue Chivington of Lima; Wilma Chivington of Lexington, KY and Doris Chivington of St. Marys; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Geary and Betty Bubp, brother-in-law Dwight Curl, granddaughter Kennedy Schreiber, and numerous aunts and uncles.

He was a graduate of Memorial High School, Class of 1967. Craig was a member of the original construction crew at Otterbein in St. Marys. He retired as a maintenance technician from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Post #6 in Wapakoneta, OH. He attended Monticello United Brethren Church and was a life-long resident of Noble Township.

In his younger years, Craig spent his springs playing baseball and his winter months playing ice hockey, with the Noble Township Gang, on 40 Acre Pond. He also spent many years, alongside his dad farming in Noble Township.

Craig was a hardworking, humble, family man with many talents. He found great joy in helping others, especially his boys. He enjoyed drawing up "blueprints" and helping them build their homes, using his backhoe and tractor for every possible task, big or small, or dropping everything to assist them with whatever they needed.

He dreamed of driving big, heavy equipment and was always looking for something new to learn. His many talents were shared with others in the community through years of coaching his boys in youth baseball alongside his dad "Lefty," coaching soccer, or through volunteering in various mission opportunities. Playing the community Santa during the Christmas season and making numerous trips to Henderson Settlement in Frankes, Kentucky, as a member of the Blind Squirrel Mission Team were among his favorites.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Noble Community Center, 16493 St. Marys River Road, St. Marys on Wednesday, December 26, at 6 pm.

Craig was a very mission minded person. He always thought of others, even during his final days. As a man who enjoyed paying it forward, his final wishes were that no flowers be given, but to remember and honor him by giving to a charity, memorial, or organization of your choice or to one of his places of interest, including Noble Community Center (Noble School), Henderson Settlement, KC Geiger Park, St. Jude's, Grand Lake Hospice, or Memorial High School Stadium Fund.

Miller Funeral Home, Saint Marys, is entrusted with Craig's arrangements. Condolences may be sent to his family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.