Herbert Charles Craft, co-founder of the Craft-Givnish Funeral Home in Abington Township, died Monday, August 19, at Ann’s Choice in Warminster from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 91 years old and had lived at the facility since 2010.
Mr. Craft’s grandfather had long been involved in the funeral business and owned a funeral home in downtown Philadelphia where, as a young boy, he ran errands, worked the door and helped with arrangements. After graduating from Germantown High School, Temple University and the Eckels School of Mortuary Science, Mr. Craft and his father established their funeral home at 1801 Old York Road.
“Herb became an innovative undertaker, which sometimes made his father nervous because the funeral industry was sober and full of regulations,” his obituary said. “He mentored younger members of the industry and spoke proudly of the two Marys who kept his funeral business running smoothly. His work was quite successful and they prospered, and his father eventually wrote him a note telling him he was a good son and business person.”
After his father died in 1995, John Givnish, owner of the John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Philadelphia, approached him and offered to buy his business.
He was an active member of Kiwanis, Willow Grove Rotary, Upper Dublin PTA, Gloria Dei Church in Huntingdon Valley, and in his later years, a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside. He also served on the board of trustees of Abington Memorial Hospital and volunteered for many years at the June Fete Fair hosted by the Women’s Board.
Mr. Craft was drafted into the U.S. Army National Guard in Philadelphia and served at Fort Sam Houston, Texas before being sent to Officer Candidate School and becoming a 1st Lieutenant in the Maryland Army National Guard on August 26, 1961. He was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army the next day.
Visitation hours will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Craft-Givnish Funeral Home and on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 N. Easton Rd., followed by his funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Ann’s Choice Philanthropy Department, 20000 Ann’s Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974, either online at ACH Donation-Ann’s Choice or by check made out to Ann’s Choice Restricted Fund, with “Benevolent Care and Herb’s Name” in the subject line, or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038, with “In Memory of Herbert Craft” in the subject line.
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