Patricia “Patty” Mae (Signer) Craig, 71, born January 11, 1954 in Eureka, Kansas, was the daughter of Frank “Junior” Signer and Gladys “Evelyn” (Adler) Signer. She passed peacefully August 18, 2025 from acute kidney failure at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, KS with her daughter Melissa by her side.
In her youth, Patty grew up taking in the uniqueness of living in Texas and several cities in Kansas such as Moline, before settling in Severy. She was second in line to siblings Stephen Rex Signer and Joetta Ann (Signer) Darnell. Patty attended Severy High School and married Merle Dean Craig on July 6, 1970. They remained in Severy for their 44 years of marriage and raised three children: Rodney D. Craig, Kevin D. Crag, and Melissa D. Craig.
As a teenager, Patty worked at Charlie’s Café. Later, she managed the books for her husband’s businesses, Merle’s Welding and Circle M Iron and Metal Recyclers. She also delivered the Wichita Eagle newspaper alongside in-law Wilbur and Henryetta Craig, Merle, and Melissa. She babysat Quinton for the grade school secretary, Lois, and maintained a solid work ethic throughout her life.
She attended her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s school and community events over the years, staying involved and supportive. She held many hobbies, including sewing – she could have been a seamstress – along with quilting, embroidery, and crochet, all practiced with precision. She bowled in a league, hunted and fished with family, and baked alongside her mother Evelyn. Together, they made wedding and birthday cakes, and every holiday season they prepared batches of fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, and pfeffernuts.
Television was a fixture in her routine, especially when it came to tennis, the National Finals Rodeo, true crime, and NASCAR. If her shows were on, the channel stayed put.
She was preceded by her parents, Junior and Evelyn Signer; brother, Stephen Signer; husband, Merle Craig; and great-grandson, Junior D. Craig.
Those left to honor her memory include children: Rodney (Carlette) Craig, Kevin Craig, and Melissa Craig, all of Severy, KS; sister Joetta Darnell of Chautauqua, KS; granddaughter Ashley Johnson of Severy, KS; grandson Michael Craig of Fredonia, KS; great-grandchildren Brooke and Grant; several nieces, nephews, and many she called family.
Cremation has taken place, and Patty will be laid to rest beside her husband, Merle in South Lawn Cemetery, Severy, KS at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.
Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349.
