Craig A. Blanchard, age 62, of Reading, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson after a brief battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born June 28, 1959, in Jackson to David and Bonnie (Hershberger) Blanchard, both survive in Jonesville. Craig married Melanie Duncan on June 4, 1983, and she survives.
Craig graduated from Jonesville High School in 1977 and from Grand Valley State College in 1981. For over 40 years, Craig dedicated his life to the game of football and student athletes, serving on the coaching staff of Jonesville High School, Eastern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, Columbus Thunderbolts Arena Football, Kalamazoo College, University of Indianapolis, and Hillsdale College where he spent the last 20 years serving as defensive coordinator. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. Craig and his wife Melanie met at Grand Valley State and have been together for 41 years, 38 years as husband and wife. Craig was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather, the rock of the Blanchard family. His energy was always positive, and he helped his family navigate life with his high moral standards, compassion, and goal setting for success. Craig enjoyed traveling, attending concerts and special events around the country with his wife, and spending time with his family at his lake house where he was always the Captain of the boat, and Chauffeur of the golf cart. Craig took pride in his handy-man skills, and always found a way to fix and repair things in need around the house. Time spent with his family brought Craig great joy, especially coaching his children's sport teams over the years and spending time with his grandchildren who fondly called him "Grandpa Coach". Craig and his wife Melanie raised four children, all of whom went on to play intercollegiate athletics. Lauren, who played softball at Adrian College, Kathryn who played softball at the University of Indianapolis, Michael was an All-Conference baseball and football player at Hillsdale College, and Aaron who played football at Adrian College.
Craig was a standout football player and 4 sport athlete at Jonesville High School. During his senior football season, he helped lead the Comets to an 8-1 record, earning first team All-Big 8 Conference and Class C First-Team All-State Honors. His 1,705 rushing yards as a high school senior were the best mark in the state of Michigan that season. Craig excelled in wrestling, baseball, and track at Jonesville High School. Craig played football at Grand Valley State from 1977-80, spending two seasons at running back before switching to the defensive side of the ball, where he led the Lakers and the GLIAC in interceptions his senior year at cornerback. He earned first team ALL-GLIAC and ALL-NAIA District 23 honors for his final season. Craig also helped GVSU win two conference championships in 1977 and 1978. He graduated with a B.A. & S degree in Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification from GVSU in 1981.
In addition to his loving wife and parents, Craig is survived by four children, Lauren Blanchard of Three Oaks, Michigan, Kathryn (Mike) Brash of Indianapolis, Michael (Erin) Blanchard of Jackson, and Aaron (Desirae Swope) Blanchard of Hillsdale; six grandchildren and one on-the-way, Grayson, Graham, Nolan, Bryce, Charles, and Vanessa; and five siblings, Cynthia (Matt) Kirk of Addison, Michelle Blanchard of Jonesville, Marsha Ort of Waldron, Debi Hansen of Jonesville, and David Blanchard of Jonesville.
Craig was preceded in death by Grandparents, Merl (Dorothy) Hershberger, and Elmer (Lucy) Blanchard, Mother and Father-in-law, Roger (Kathryn) Duncan, Brothers-in-law, Guy Hansen, Thomas Ort, and Shawn Middleton.
Funeral services for Craig Blanchard will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Hillsdale College Christ Chapel with Deacon Aaron Petersen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday December 29 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the Hillsdale College Biermann Center. Arrangements are entrusted to VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Craig Blanchard Memorial Scholarship c/o Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
Contributor: Sally Enbody-Hodshire (47197272) • [email protected]
Craig graduated from Jonesville High School in 1977 and from Grand Valley State College in 1981. For over 40 years, Craig dedicated his life to the game of football and student athletes, serving on the coaching staff of Jonesville High School, Eastern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, Columbus Thunderbolts Arena Football, Kalamazoo College, University of Indianapolis, and Hillsdale College where he spent the last 20 years serving as defensive coordinator. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. Craig and his wife Melanie met at Grand Valley State and have been together for 41 years, 38 years as husband and wife. Craig was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather, the rock of the Blanchard family. His energy was always positive, and he helped his family navigate life with his high moral standards, compassion, and goal setting for success. Craig enjoyed traveling, attending concerts and special events around the country with his wife, and spending time with his family at his lake house where he was always the Captain of the boat, and Chauffeur of the golf cart. Craig took pride in his handy-man skills, and always found a way to fix and repair things in need around the house. Time spent with his family brought Craig great joy, especially coaching his children's sport teams over the years and spending time with his grandchildren who fondly called him "Grandpa Coach". Craig and his wife Melanie raised four children, all of whom went on to play intercollegiate athletics. Lauren, who played softball at Adrian College, Kathryn who played softball at the University of Indianapolis, Michael was an All-Conference baseball and football player at Hillsdale College, and Aaron who played football at Adrian College.
Craig was a standout football player and 4 sport athlete at Jonesville High School. During his senior football season, he helped lead the Comets to an 8-1 record, earning first team All-Big 8 Conference and Class C First-Team All-State Honors. His 1,705 rushing yards as a high school senior were the best mark in the state of Michigan that season. Craig excelled in wrestling, baseball, and track at Jonesville High School. Craig played football at Grand Valley State from 1977-80, spending two seasons at running back before switching to the defensive side of the ball, where he led the Lakers and the GLIAC in interceptions his senior year at cornerback. He earned first team ALL-GLIAC and ALL-NAIA District 23 honors for his final season. Craig also helped GVSU win two conference championships in 1977 and 1978. He graduated with a B.A. & S degree in Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification from GVSU in 1981.
In addition to his loving wife and parents, Craig is survived by four children, Lauren Blanchard of Three Oaks, Michigan, Kathryn (Mike) Brash of Indianapolis, Michael (Erin) Blanchard of Jackson, and Aaron (Desirae Swope) Blanchard of Hillsdale; six grandchildren and one on-the-way, Grayson, Graham, Nolan, Bryce, Charles, and Vanessa; and five siblings, Cynthia (Matt) Kirk of Addison, Michelle Blanchard of Jonesville, Marsha Ort of Waldron, Debi Hansen of Jonesville, and David Blanchard of Jonesville.
Craig was preceded in death by Grandparents, Merl (Dorothy) Hershberger, and Elmer (Lucy) Blanchard, Mother and Father-in-law, Roger (Kathryn) Duncan, Brothers-in-law, Guy Hansen, Thomas Ort, and Shawn Middleton.
Funeral services for Craig Blanchard will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Hillsdale College Christ Chapel with Deacon Aaron Petersen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday December 29 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the Hillsdale College Biermann Center. Arrangements are entrusted to VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Craig Blanchard Memorial Scholarship c/o Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
Contributor: Sally Enbody-Hodshire (47197272) • [email protected]
Craig A. Blanchard, age 62, of Reading, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson after a brief battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born June 28, 1959, in Jackson to David and Bonnie (Hershberger) Blanchard, both survive in Jonesville. Craig married Melanie Duncan on June 4, 1983, and she survives.
Craig graduated from Jonesville High School in 1977 and from Grand Valley State College in 1981. For over 40 years, Craig dedicated his life to the game of football and student athletes, serving on the coaching staff of Jonesville High School, Eastern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, Columbus Thunderbolts Arena Football, Kalamazoo College, University of Indianapolis, and Hillsdale College where he spent the last 20 years serving as defensive coordinator. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. Craig and his wife Melanie met at Grand Valley State and have been together for 41 years, 38 years as husband and wife. Craig was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather, the rock of the Blanchard family. His energy was always positive, and he helped his family navigate life with his high moral standards, compassion, and goal setting for success. Craig enjoyed traveling, attending concerts and special events around the country with his wife, and spending time with his family at his lake house where he was always the Captain of the boat, and Chauffeur of the golf cart. Craig took pride in his handy-man skills, and always found a way to fix and repair things in need around the house. Time spent with his family brought Craig great joy, especially coaching his children's sport teams over the years and spending time with his grandchildren who fondly called him "Grandpa Coach". Craig and his wife Melanie raised four children, all of whom went on to play intercollegiate athletics. Lauren, who played softball at Adrian College, Kathryn who played softball at the University of Indianapolis, Michael was an All-Conference baseball and football player at Hillsdale College, and Aaron who played football at Adrian College.
Craig was a standout football player and 4 sport athlete at Jonesville High School. During his senior football season, he helped lead the Comets to an 8-1 record, earning first team All-Big 8 Conference and Class C First-Team All-State Honors. His 1,705 rushing yards as a high school senior were the best mark in the state of Michigan that season. Craig excelled in wrestling, baseball, and track at Jonesville High School. Craig played football at Grand Valley State from 1977-80, spending two seasons at running back before switching to the defensive side of the ball, where he led the Lakers and the GLIAC in interceptions his senior year at cornerback. He earned first team ALL-GLIAC and ALL-NAIA District 23 honors for his final season. Craig also helped GVSU win two conference championships in 1977 and 1978. He graduated with a B.A. & S degree in Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification from GVSU in 1981.
In addition to his loving wife and parents, Craig is survived by four children, Lauren Blanchard of Three Oaks, Michigan, Kathryn (Mike) Brash of Indianapolis, Michael (Erin) Blanchard of Jackson, and Aaron (Desirae Swope) Blanchard of Hillsdale; six grandchildren and one on-the-way, Grayson, Graham, Nolan, Bryce, Charles, and Vanessa; and five siblings, Cynthia (Matt) Kirk of Addison, Michelle Blanchard of Jonesville, Marsha Ort of Waldron, Debi Hansen of Jonesville, and David Blanchard of Jonesville.
Craig was preceded in death by Grandparents, Merl (Dorothy) Hershberger, and Elmer (Lucy) Blanchard, Mother and Father-in-law, Roger (Kathryn) Duncan, Brothers-in-law, Guy Hansen, Thomas Ort, and Shawn Middleton.
Funeral services for Craig Blanchard will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Hillsdale College Christ Chapel with Deacon Aaron Petersen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday December 29 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the Hillsdale College Biermann Center. Arrangements are entrusted to VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Craig Blanchard Memorial Scholarship c/o Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
Contributor: Sally Enbody-Hodshire (47197272) • [email protected]
Craig graduated from Jonesville High School in 1977 and from Grand Valley State College in 1981. For over 40 years, Craig dedicated his life to the game of football and student athletes, serving on the coaching staff of Jonesville High School, Eastern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University, Columbus Thunderbolts Arena Football, Kalamazoo College, University of Indianapolis, and Hillsdale College where he spent the last 20 years serving as defensive coordinator. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. Craig and his wife Melanie met at Grand Valley State and have been together for 41 years, 38 years as husband and wife. Craig was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather, the rock of the Blanchard family. His energy was always positive, and he helped his family navigate life with his high moral standards, compassion, and goal setting for success. Craig enjoyed traveling, attending concerts and special events around the country with his wife, and spending time with his family at his lake house where he was always the Captain of the boat, and Chauffeur of the golf cart. Craig took pride in his handy-man skills, and always found a way to fix and repair things in need around the house. Time spent with his family brought Craig great joy, especially coaching his children's sport teams over the years and spending time with his grandchildren who fondly called him "Grandpa Coach". Craig and his wife Melanie raised four children, all of whom went on to play intercollegiate athletics. Lauren, who played softball at Adrian College, Kathryn who played softball at the University of Indianapolis, Michael was an All-Conference baseball and football player at Hillsdale College, and Aaron who played football at Adrian College.
Craig was a standout football player and 4 sport athlete at Jonesville High School. During his senior football season, he helped lead the Comets to an 8-1 record, earning first team All-Big 8 Conference and Class C First-Team All-State Honors. His 1,705 rushing yards as a high school senior were the best mark in the state of Michigan that season. Craig excelled in wrestling, baseball, and track at Jonesville High School. Craig played football at Grand Valley State from 1977-80, spending two seasons at running back before switching to the defensive side of the ball, where he led the Lakers and the GLIAC in interceptions his senior year at cornerback. He earned first team ALL-GLIAC and ALL-NAIA District 23 honors for his final season. Craig also helped GVSU win two conference championships in 1977 and 1978. He graduated with a B.A. & S degree in Health and Physical Education with Teaching Certification from GVSU in 1981.
In addition to his loving wife and parents, Craig is survived by four children, Lauren Blanchard of Three Oaks, Michigan, Kathryn (Mike) Brash of Indianapolis, Michael (Erin) Blanchard of Jackson, and Aaron (Desirae Swope) Blanchard of Hillsdale; six grandchildren and one on-the-way, Grayson, Graham, Nolan, Bryce, Charles, and Vanessa; and five siblings, Cynthia (Matt) Kirk of Addison, Michelle Blanchard of Jonesville, Marsha Ort of Waldron, Debi Hansen of Jonesville, and David Blanchard of Jonesville.
Craig was preceded in death by Grandparents, Merl (Dorothy) Hershberger, and Elmer (Lucy) Blanchard, Mother and Father-in-law, Roger (Kathryn) Duncan, Brothers-in-law, Guy Hansen, Thomas Ort, and Shawn Middleton.
Funeral services for Craig Blanchard will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Hillsdale College Christ Chapel with Deacon Aaron Petersen officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsdale. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday December 29 from 3:00-8:00 PM at the Hillsdale College Biermann Center. Arrangements are entrusted to VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Craig Blanchard Memorial Scholarship c/o Hillsdale County Community Foundation.
Contributor: Sally Enbody-Hodshire (47197272) • [email protected]
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