Melvin Craig

Melvin G. Craig (“Mel”), age 90, of St. John Township, Crown Point, peacefully passed away on December 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. On June 14, 1948, at the age of 16, Mel received his private pilot’s license at Triangle Airport in Dyer. At that time, Mel was believed to be the youngest Chicago-Calumet area pilot. He began his flight training at the Triangle Airport at age 14, in exchange for doing odd jobs around the airport. He had to wait until he turned 16 to achieve his pilot’s license, because the aeronautic regulations ban solo flights under the age of 16. Mel was a 1950 graduate of St. John Township High School of Dyer. In December of 1952, Mel was drafted into the Army where he served during the Korean War as an airline mechanic, until November of 1954. On January 23, 1965, he married Carol Jeanne Gettler. Mel was a member of the Mason Lodge. He was also a commercial airline pilot, achieving ratings of Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane Single Engine Land and Airplane Multiengine Land. After flying for 50 years and logging more than 30,000 hours piloting a plane, Mel was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2006. At the time Mel received The Wright Brothers award it had only been awarded to 560 other pilots worldwide. In order to be nominated for The Wright Brothers award, he had to fulfill 50 consecutive years of flying, obtain 3 letters of recommendation from holders of FAA pilot certificates, as well as have a clean safety history. After 33 years, he retired from his job as a commercial airplane pilot, where he had worked for Flying Tiger, North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. Mel also loved to restore airplanes, including an AT-6, BT-13, and his pride and joy, a red Beechcraft Staggerwing, which was shown at the Rockford Air Show. Mel was on the emergency response “go-team” where he would investigate crash scenes involving airplanes for North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. He also flew as a personal pilot for Scheffer Corp. Mel had forgotten more about flying than most will ever know or ever learn. He loved to share his knowledge of airplanes and flying with anyone who was interested. Mel inspired many to become airline pilots due his love of flying. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Mathew and Jean Craig. Mel is survived by his loving wife, Carol J. Craig, his son, John (Megan) Craig, and grandchildren Madison, Kate & William. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 3 - 7 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Indiana. A service will be held at 10:00 on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Burns Funeral Home, immediately followed by a gravesite service at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Melvin Craig

June 14, 1932 - December 23, 2022