Craig Lindvahl (62) of Effingham

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Published on January 3 2020 4:41 pm

Craig Lindvahl, 62, of Effingham, IL, peacefully passed away from a long battle with pancreatic cancer, at his home on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 12:37 p.m., with his family by his side.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Effingham Performance Center in Effingham. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Effingham Performance Center. Burial will be held at a later date at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made in Craig’s memory to the Midland Institute of Entrepreneurship, 1201 Network Centre Drive, Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here

Craig was born on November 22, 1957, in Taylorville, IL, the son of Ronald and Ann (Nelson) Lindvahl. He married Beth Meyer on July 19, 1980 in Taylorville. Craig graduated in 1975 from Taylorville High School. He majored in music education at Eastern Illinois University graduating in 1979. After college graduation, he was hired as the Teutopolis High School Band director. He was employed in Unit 50 for 34 years and taught music to every grade K-12. Craig later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 2009. He co-taught the multi-media film class resulting in several AHA Film Festivals. In 2008, Craig was tapped to start the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program in Effingham. Then in 2010, he became the Executive Director for Midland Institute of Entrepreneurship, which helps start CEO classes around the country. Craig was an award-winning educator, composer, filmmaker and author. He served on the Cross Foundation Board, the Midland Institute of Entrepreneurship Board as well as the Illinois State Board of Education, serving a four-year term. In 2015, Craig was honored and humbled to be chosen as the Effingham County Citizen of the Year. Craig loved teaching. The many students he taught and the lives he touched over the years, from the band to the multi-media to the CEO and all of the students in between, gave him a life of fulfillment and happiness. He taught many, many valuable life lessons over the years that are still instilled within his student’s lives today. He was a great listener as well as a great mentor and his positive attitude and humor will always be remembered by many. Craig always wanted to make the most out of each day. His hope was to teach a life lesson for all to live by “Who will be better because of what I do today?”

Craig is survived by his wife, Beth of Effingham; parents, Ron and Ann Lindvahl of Danville; brother, Mark (Marty) Lindvahl of Danville; sister, Kim (Barry) Rapp of Morton; mother-in-law, Alberta Meyer of Taylorville; sisters-in-law, Kay (David) Cowell of Taylorville and Janet (Steve) Smith of Salem; 10 nieces and nephews; and 12 greatnieces and great-nephews.

His father-in-law Bill Meyer preceded him in death.

Beth and Craig’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Philip Dy and his staff at Crossroads Cancer Center and HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois and the caring staff.