Obituary of Craig Van Cuvelier

Craig Van Cuvelier was born to Iva M and Hyrom Elmore Cuvelier outside of Dumont, Iowa on June 18, 1943. He was the youngest of twelve brothers and sisters and grew up on farms around Dumont and Lawler for most of his childhood. He completed the ninth grade before he left school to help work on the farm for his aging parents. At the age of seventeen he left home and worked on road construction for Chuck Fischel, then worked as a truck driver, a police officer for the town of Hampton, worked at John Deere, and worked on a garbage truck. Eventually moved his family to Arizona in 1984 where he worked for twenty years for The City of Sierra Vista Public Works before retiring in 2004.  
Craig had the kindest soul and the most generous spirit; he would gladly give you the shirt off of his back should you need it. He never met a stranger and loved to talk and laugh with anyone he met. After retirement, Craig enjoyed baking bread and had a special knack for making delicious cinnamon rolls. He also enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful pieces that are cherished by his family. Craig’s love of music was apparent up to his final days, always tapping his toes to the beat of classic country. Hours were spent listening to his stories and his family still giggle at what they call, “Craig-isms,” funny little sayings like, “cuter than a bug’s ear.” His favorite term of endearment was calling loved ones “bug-juice” and “sweet pea”. Craig will be greatly missed by his friends and family. His belly laughs and hugs and kisses were second to none. Our hearts feel empty yet so full of love for a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.
In January, 2017, Craig suffered several strokes and a heart attack due to A-Fib that led to open heart surgery and a valve replacement, followed by a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis and eventually Alzheimer’s disease. Craig passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife and two daughters on October 12, 2022. Craig is proceeded in death by his parents Iva and H.E. Cuvelier and numerous brothers and sisters. Craig is survived by his Wife of over 50 years Jean Cuvelier of Vail, Arizona; Daughters Melissa (Ryan) Wall of Vail, and Holly Cuvelier of Sierra Vista, Arizona; Grandchildren Cheyenne (Steve) Wendig of Sierra Vista, Tarence Brown of Safford, Arizona, Alyssa (Kenny) Stoddard, Gabriel (Briana) Stoddard, and Elena Stoddard as well as Great Grandson Jace Wendig, all of Sierra Vista; Sisters Donna Sokolik and Carol Koenen of Hampton, Iowa, and Dorothy (Don) Harmon of Anamosa, Iowa. 
The family would like to thank Casa De La Luz Hospice for their kindness and support.

Private family services to be held.