William Craig VonGunten

On July 8, 2023, at the age of 62, William Craig VonGunten of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, passed away as a brave warrior who lost his battle with cancer. Craig was a prideful man who chose to fight privately in the comfort of his own home alongside his loving wife Margaret.

Craig was an avid sports fan (Go Buckeyes!) who rivaled the experts in his knowledge of any sport in any time era, especially basketball and football. He played many youth sports in Cuyahoga Falls as well as coached the youth in adulthood. He was a natural born athlete, outstanding basketball player and excellent golfer, having enjoyed many rounds of 18 (19!!) holes.

He loved sitting in his backyard watching sports, grilling out and entertaining family and friends who would gather around the picnic table and enjoy his cooking. Many knew him as the grill master of his famous barbecue chicken thighs, and his homemade lasagna was to die for.

Craig’s man cave was one of his favorite places to spend his time. After years of collecting sports memorabilia and his favorite gifts, he proudly displayed them alongside his most prized possessions, pictures of his children and grandchildren.

Craig was a masterful craftsman, spending many years surpassing the art of siding homes. He was well known for being an expert painter. He truly had gold in his hands and could fix anything.

He was an adoring, playful and proud grandfather to his five (5) precious grandchildren: Hannah, Jaelyn, Kane, Dominic and Madelyn Rose. Over the years, he was given many unique names by his grandchildren that he cherished (Da/Pepaw/Grandpa).

Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter (Mary) VonGunten, Sr.; stepfather, Eric Hjelmquist; stepmother, Carol VonGunten; and brothers, Chris VonGunten and Scott Jones.

He is survived by his devoted wife Margaret (and Winnie); parents, Walter C. VonGunten, Jr. (Vivian) and Wanda Hjelmquist; brothers, Curtis VonGunten (Laurie) and Mark Jones (Sandra); sisters, Heidi Dennison (Nate) and Vicki VonGunten Tilghman (Eric); forever cherished children, Lauren, Ryan and Devin; and Margaret's loving children Laura (Dan) and Hilary (Taylor); and beautiful grandchildren Hannah, Jaelyn, Kane, Dominic and Madelyn Rose.

Family and friends are invited to reminisce and honor the life of Craig on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls.  We will gather from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Italian American Citizen Club, 1521 9^th St., Cuyahoga Falls. 

Arrangements entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home & Crematory, 330-928-2147.