2025
Chester Lowell Craft, 84, of Fort Wayne and formerly of Flora, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in Fort Wayne. Born on September 5, 1941, in Logansport, Indiana, he was the son of the late Chancellor Chester Craft and Mary Elizabeth Trent Craft.
Lowell built a remarkable life defined by hard work, generous service, and entrepreneurial spirit. He began his banking career with Bright National Bank in Flora and Kokomo. Later, alongside the Yeager family, he helped establish First Bank of Carroll in Flora, where he proudly served as President.
His business ventures were wide ranging and rooted in community investment. Lowell owned Rudae’s Beauty College in Kokomo and Fort Wayne, the Post Office buildings in Camden and Burlington, and several senior apartment complexes in the Burlington and Walton areas. Lowell and his brother Harold opened food banks in Burlington and surrounding communities to support families in need.
Lowell was widely known as a self-made man who worked tirelessly but also believed in enjoying life. He had a servant’s heart and helped others quietly and without expectation of praise. As Harold shared, “Lowell did so much for people without any type of recognition.”
He treasured his winters in Sebring and Fort Myers Beach, loved soaking up the sunshine, and held a deep loyalty to Indiana University sports. He was also an avid dog lover. Lowell graduated from Flora High School, home of the Badgers, where he was a talented basketball player.
Lowell is survived by two brothers, Harold Craft of West Lafayette and Don Craft of Flora. He is also survived by his nieces Teresa Cadwallader, Joni Summe, Donelle Shoffner, and Carla Mote, his nephew Chet Craft, and his partner, Janelle Banks. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece Debbie Craft.
The Craft family invites friends to gather on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wheeler Family Funeral Home–Baker Chapel, 204 S Center Street, Flora, Indiana. A Celebration of Lowell’s Life will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by burial at Maple Lawn Cemetery beside his mother.
Memorial contributions may be made in Lowell’s honor to the Cass County Humane Society, 700 Water Street, Logansport, Indiana.
Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website www.wheelerfamilyfuneralhome.com
Condolences for the family 04
Shelly Martin
November 25, 2025 6:50 pm ·Mr Craft was a loving, caring, generous gentleman that I was honored to call my boss for 25 years 🫶 he taught me how to be a good employee and supervisor by his leading by example. It doesn’t get any better than CL Craft. My two favorite quotes of his are “gal if you aren’t making any mistakes you aren’t making enough decisions” and “never start your day with yesterdays trash, always empty your trash can before you end your day”🫶
Melissa Massey
November 28, 2025 12:00 pm ·I had the honor of caring for Chet at LLV. Chet was so loving and an amazing man always made me smile and always had a smile. We will all miss him tremendously but will cherish the memories we had with him. Prayers for the family for your loss.
Avery Massey
November 28, 2025 12:03 pm ·I had only known Chet for 7 months while working at LLV, but during that time he was definitely a reason for my smiles. Such a kind and loving man, and I will miss him so much!!
Brenda duncan
December 5, 2025 9:38 am ·I have known Lowell for sixty years. He was a nice kind decent man. He loved a good story and a good laugh. He loved his entire family very much. I share in your sorrow of his passing. Rest in peace my friend.
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