Jack Melvin Cracraft, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Dec. 15, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 27, 1931, in Cape Girardeau, son of John W. and Ruby Carmack Cracraft Hosea. He and Shirley Ann Biehle were married Sept. 3, 1956, in Biehle, Mo., at the St. Maurus Catholic Church.

Cracraft was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a volunteer with the Saint Francis Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, the Missouri Veterans Home and Perpetual Adorers. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0133 and the Knights of Columbus Council 1111. Cracraft was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the St. Vincent de Paul Men's Council. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn H. and Julie A. Cracraft of St. Charles, Mo., and Kevin J. and Rita K. Cracraft of Cape Girardeau; four daughters and sons-in-law, Jan C. and Vince Kelley, Jill A. and Chris Janet, Laura J. and Steve Nolan, and Kara J. Cracraft, all of Cape Girardeau; a half-brother, Gilbert Cracraft of Cape Girardeau; 15 grandchildren, Melissa, Holly, Ellen, and Natalie Cracraft of St. Charles, Mo., Sara and Jordan Cracraft of Cape Girardeau, Megan Wolfe, Emily, Valerie and Nicholas Kelley of Cape Girardeau, and Casie, Abby and Jake Janet of Cape Girardeau, Dustin and Luke Nolan of Cape Girardeau; and two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Caleb Wolfe of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Elvin Hosea and a half brother, Billy Cracraft.

Friends may call at St. Vincent de Paul Church from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. A vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. The Rev. Derek Swanson will officiate, with burial at St. Mary's Cemetery with full military honors from the Delta Team.

Gifts may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1913 Ritter Drive, St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School, 1919 Ritter Drive, or the Notre Dame High School Foundation, 265 Notre Dame Drive.

Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.