Craig Charles Yarbrough, 69, of Waterloo, died Feb. 5, 2024, in Jupiter, Fla. He was born in East St. Louis.

Craig graduated from Waterloo High School in 1973 and from SIU Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1977. He married his wife, Nancy, on Oct. 29, 1977.

Craig worked throughout high school at a car wash and delivering newspapers and while in college at Missouri Athletic Club, a job his beloved grandmother, Pearl, secured for him. He worked in an accounting job for the first year after college graduation and decided a desk job was not for him. He went to work in sales for several different companies selling commercial ice equipment, supplies and packaging – his favorite being the Banner Packaging headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisc., until it was acquired in 1995. His last position was with Modern Ice in Ohio, after which he retired in 2009.

Craig loved meeting new people and has remained friends with many coworkers and customers and always had a story to share of his work travels and experiences. He never forgot a face or a name.

Craig liked to travel and we were fortunate to have been able to make many trips abroad during our younger years. His favorite mode of travel was cruising. We visited many different baseball stadiums watching the St Louis Cardinals and even more spring training games in Florida.

In his younger years, Craig played high school baseball and softball, and went on float trips and to MRF and other concerts. He loved hunting, fishing and sports. We had season tickets for the former St. Louis Rams until they relocated and attended many St Louis Cardinal games. Craig rarely missed watching a Cardinal baseball game on TV. 

It wasn’t until seven years ago that we became “snowbirds” and took up residence in Jupiter, FL for 4-5 months each year. These “winter trips” were always something Craig looked forward to every year.

Craig was someone who lived life to the fullest. He had a great sense of humor and a keen mind and always had a witty comeback in conversations. He had a great memory and sense of direction when traveling. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years Nancy; mother Imogene Yarbrough; brother-in-law Ronald (Darlene) Pflueger; nieces and nephews Stacy –also a godchild – (Mike) Hemmer, Ryan (Meagan) Pflueger, Christine (Aaron) Kachelmuss, Sarah (John) Rayfield, godchild Courtney (Brad) Bell, great- nieces and nephews Nathan Hemmer, Ava Hemmer, Keegan Pflueger, Carson Pflueger and Easton Rayfield; and his special Main Street family.

Craig is preceded in death by his father Charles Yarbrough; brother Bruce Yarbrough; grandparents; and our beloved basset hounds Clyde and Bella.

A celebration of life for Craig will be held at a later date to be announced.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to: Helping Strays of Monroe County; or House of Neighborly Service.