WEST FRANKFORT – Curtis “Curt” Lester Caraway, 87, of West Frankfort passed away on Thursday March 27, 2025, at Deaconess Hospital in Marion at 8:46 a.m.
He was born on September 1, 1937, in West Frankfort to Rev. Lester and Katheren (Mayer) Caraway. Curt dearly loved his family. He served in the U.S. Army and served in Panama. Curt was a former Commander of the American Legion. He also served on the West Frankfort Police and Fire Merit Board. He was an avid hunter and fisherman since the age of four. He was a loyal West Frankfort Redbird fan and attended the Trinity Global Methodist Church in West Frankfort. Curt was the previous owner of Bella’s and was famous for his fried chicken and fried fish.
Curt was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lester and Katheren Caraway; and sister, Nola Rash.
He is survived by his wife, Anita; children, Keith (Marilyn) Caraway, Dane (Lisa) Henson, Jeremy (Chelsea) Castellano, David (Laura) Castellano, Chris (Katelyn) Castellano, Cindy (Vinny) Pivnicny, Krista (Frank) Hasty, and Kristen (Tim) Mosbach; sister, Janice (Richard) Biggs; sister-in-law, Lisa (Bill Minor); brothers-in-law, Henry Vaughn, Terry (Sara) Vaughn, and Barry (Janet) Vaughn; 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, and a community of friends.
Services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Union Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 1961 of Orient and Zeigler Post 177.
Visitation will be held on Sunday March 30, 2025, at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. and Monday March 31, 2025, from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service.
