Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

Reuben W. Cravens, Sr.

Feb. 9, 1914 - July 19, 1998

Mr. Reuben W. Cravens, Sr., 84, of Dean Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away on Sunday, July 19, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Reuben was born on Feb. 9, 1914, in Marion, Ind., to Ira and Leeta (Fear) Cravens, both of whom preceded him in death. On Dec. 2, 1933, Reuben married Helena Fay Lloyd in Marion. She preceded him in death on April 8, 1989. He was also preceded in death by a daughter.

On July 28, 1990, Reuben married Betty Fiedler in South Bend. She survives.

He is also survived by four daughters, Janet Fay Campbell, Donna Mae Swaby, Shirley Gean Zdankus, all of LaPorte, Ind., and Celia Jane Schrader of Sun City, Arizona; two sons, Reuben Cravens, Jr., and Vernon ''Buck'' Cravens, both of LaPorte; a stepdaughter, Pamela Sue Winn of South Bend; two stepsons, Eugene ''Rocky'' Talcott, Jr., of Plymouth, Ind., and Scott Alan Talcott of South Bend; a sister, Margaret Johnson of Stigler, Okla.; and by 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Reuben W. Cravens was a self-employed auto body mechanic who lived in South Bend for eight years. He was a member of VFW Post #9820 of South Bend and American Legion Post #400 of Fish Lake, Ind.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Haverstock Funeral Home, LaPorte, with Pastor Larry Owens officiating. Friends may visit the family from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial of ashes will take place at Salem Cemetery, LaPorte.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.