Bernie Crager

Huntertown – Bernie Crager, 75, died Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at his home in Huntertown with his family at his side.

He was born in Floyd County Kentucky on August 15, 1948 to Melvin and Laura (Handshoe) Crager.

Bernie was a serious hard worker. One of his first jobs was driving a Semi to New York and back when he was just 19. He only had experience changing semi tires when asked if he could do it. He worked three jobs helping to put his wife through nurses training.

Around 1980, he made the mistake of buying a pony for his daughters, Missy and Jenny and the rest is history. Crager Horse Farm materialized and he was very successful at it. He was a smart man regarding this venture. Friends and associates would call him frequently regarding the care of their horses. He took great pleasure during foaling season and loved raising baby colts. Bernie was proud to tell everyone that he raised and sold world champion quarter and paint horses.

Bernie’s last and most loved venture was farming. He had some of the prettiest fields around. You’d often find him pulling weeds and picking up rocks by hand to improve the harvest. Grandsons Joe and Reece never lasted as long as grandpa did. It was so hard for him to say goodbye to the farm and move to town but he never complained.

Grandchildren and great grandchildren were a blessing from God. He loved and encouraged them in anything they were interested in from horses to marching band and Luke in hockey. He was especially proud of his granddaughter Payton and her scholastic achievements and looked forward to seeing her attend college. Grandson Reece is an Army Veteran and he couldn’t be prouder.

Great grandson Rory was the light of his life and Rory felt the same way about grandpa.

Bernie left us much too early to say the least but his legacy will live on.

He married Nancy Payton on June 7, 1974 in Corunna and she survives. He is also survived by 2 daughters and a son in law, Melissa Edwards of Huntertown and Jennifer and Ryan VanAntwerp of Fort Wayne; 5 grandchildren, Leah Edwards, Reece Edwards, Joe Edwards, Payton VanAntwerp and Luke VanAntwerp; 3 great grandchildren, Rory Lytle, Legacy Lytle and Zy’air Edwards; 4 sisters, 2 brothers, a sister in law and a brother in law, Agnes Boleyn of North Carolina, Viola Morales of Angola, Dorlas Oliver of Fort Wayne, John Crager of Auburn, Bonnie and Earl Conley of Corunna and Steve and Debra Crager of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, a sister in law and 5 brothers in laws, Raymond and Betty Crager, George Crager, Carlos Crager Annis and Richard Squier, Dorothy and Bill Mosley, Henry Boleyn, Lupito Morales and Gary Oliver.

Services will be 2 PM Monday, October 30, 2023 at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street, Auburn, IN with burial to follow in Sedan Cemetery, Corunna. Calling is 3 hours prior to the service Monday from 11 AM to 2 PM all at the funeral home.

Serving as Pall Bearers are Leah Edwards, Reece Edwards, Joe Edwards, Ryan VanAntwerp, Luke VanAntwerp and Larry Payton.

Memorials can be given in memory of Bernie to Juvenile Diabetes Association. To send the family condolences visit www.fellerandclark.com