Craig Eddinger, of Boyertown, passed away at home on August 27.

Craig was born on September 21, 1953 in Pottstown. After graduating from Boyertown Area Senior High School in 1971, Craig went on to study baseball with a minor in pinochle and managed to achieve an accounting degree at St. Joseph’s University.

After graduation, Craig spent many years working in auditing at Sovereign and National Penn Bank. In 1976, Craig met Bobbie Lee Erb and they married on March 4, 1978, and proceeded to have two daughters, Kelli and Karli.

Craig was a loving husband of forty-four years and a supportive and dedicated father and grandfather. In the community, he was more prominently known as a baseball player and coach. Craig was a lover of the game from an early age, participating in the Boyertown Area Youth Baseball league. He went through the BASH and legion programs and went on to play short stop at St. Joe’s. He continued playing post-graduation with Gablesville and Collegeville. He started coaching for the Boyertown Bears Legion team in 1988 as the assistant coach to his long-time friend and now brother-in-law, Rick Moatz. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Legion Hall of Fame in 2016, and the St. Joe’s Hall of Fame in 2019. After coaching for technically 34 years (with difficulty giving it up), Craig was honored this past June at a retirement ceremony at Bear Stadium where they retired #11.

Craig is survived by his wife, Bobbie; daughters Kelli (Robert) Casciato and Karli Eddinger; and grandchildren Christopher, Chloe, and a baby due February 2023. He is also survived by brother-in-law Kim Erb, sister-in-law Bonnie (Rick) Moatz, and sister-in-law Maureen Eddinger, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Woodrow and his brother, Woodrow Laverne.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 12:00 Noon at Catagnus Funeral Home (1020 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville, PA 19525) with Pastor Jason Micheli officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. A visitation will also be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to the Boyertown Area Youth Baseball LTD at P.O. Box 1982 Boyertown, PA 19512.

Add My Condolences

I was lucky to have known Craig early in his baseball life with the Braves & VFW..He was a good man.
We didn't lose many games with Ricky Stauffer pitching & Todd Gilbert playing shortstop..Craig made
us better simply by being Craig..I remember his name has only one D... Regards, Edward

~ Edward F. Bundrant
7/23/2023 2:34:24 PM

Bobbie and family, very sorry to hear the news about Craig . Sending you prayers and hugs and my deepest sympathy. Thinking of you all,Brenda (Graber) Norman and family

~ Brenda Norman
10/9/2022 3:08:49 PM

Craig was a great coach and a long time family friend that will be missed. I know Shayne will miss watching Eagles games with him at my parents. Praying for peace and comfort.

~ Jordan Hartline Gilbertsville, PA
9/10/2022 7:03:32 PM

Bobbie and family. It is hard to find the words at a time like this. Sorry for your loss seems inadequate. Only a wife of a coach can know the effort, hours, the commitment a coach pours into the sports they love. He did all that and had a tremendous impact on so many lives. He will be truly missed and remembered by his family, friends, and the whole baseball community. Prayers for you and your family. ??

~ Valerie
9/7/2022 11:47:29 AM

I am so sorry …You are all in my thoughts and prayers…sending so much love to you all…i am sorry for this great loss…hold tight to each other…big hugs to you girls??

~ Alix Kurtz
9/2/2022 7:36:01 AM

Bobbi, Karli and Kelli. We are so sorry for your loss. Craig touched so many lives and impressive great values in them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. His memories with be with you forever.

~ Renae & Jim Arcari
9/1/2022 10:37:38 AM

My Condolences to Bobbie and Family. I knew Craig since we were kids and we used play sandlot ball back in Eshbach. I got to see him again when I became an umpire. He was always a class act as a man and player. Serve the Lord my Friend in that Baseball World in the Sky! God has inherited another Special Angel!

~ Tim Engleman
8/31/2022 10:47:53 PM

Craig will be dearly missed by all that knew him. A terrific baseball guy and even better person. May the Good Lord bless him and his family and give them peace.

~ Tim Neiman
8/31/2022 2:47:50 PM

A sad farewell to the most passionate coach I’ve ever had the pleasure to play for.

~ Nicholas S. DiCiacco
8/31/2022 1:50:10 PM

Bobbie, I am so sorry to hear about Craig has past. May the Lord be with you and your families at this time. May he Rest In Peace.

~ Kathy (Giles) Hartman
8/31/2022 12:44:12 PM

It is hard for me to picture Craig and not see him on a baseball field. He was a very quiet and unassuming player, but one of the smartest players on the field. His success as a coach did not surprise me in the least. To Bobbie and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

~ Scot Dapp Bethlehem, PA
8/31/2022 10:54:02 AM

Dear Bobby and family,

Sending my sincere sympathy. Craig was a pillar in the Boyertown Baseball regimen. He did so much for so many young men and will always be remembered for his contributions and the sacrifices he made! God bless you and your family!

~ Mary Murrow Phoenixville, PA
8/31/2022 10:13:59 AM

Bobbie, Karli and Kelli, We will definitely miss Craig mowing the grass. Yelling across the ave. Just talking with him of course about sports or shoveling snow. He was a very kind soul. We are glad thave known him. ??

~ John and Bobbi Ann Golowski
8/31/2022 10:07:05 AM

I'll certainly miss a truly great lifetime friend of 60+ years. We've known each other since we could play pitch & catch and have stayed friends ever since. My deepest condolences go out to Bobbie and the entire family. He'll certainly be missed but never forgotten!

~ Roger Hoffman Tavares, FL., FL
8/31/2022 9:16:58 AM

Bobbi, We were so sorry to hear of Craig's passing and although we will be out of town over the weekend our hearts will be with all of you. Nolan and Chase have been lucky enough to have been able to call Craig their coach, mentor, father figure, and friend and we will be forever grateful for that opportunity. Trophies carry dust, but memories last forever and our family will carry and cherish those fondly. May your memories carry you and the girls through this dark time. Lots of love to all of you! Please let us know if there is anything at all you need!

~ Cher, Troy, Nolan and Chase Kline Barto, PA
8/31/2022 8:36:32 AM

We will never forget the fun we had playing pinochle with the pro. Had so much fun and laughs. He will always be in our hearts. Love to Bobbi and the family.

~ Chris and Gene Parker
8/31/2022 7:48:29 AM

So sorry for your loss deepest sympathies

~ Michelle moyer zieser
8/31/2022 12:00:41 AM

Bobbi
So very sorry for your loss. Very shocked when Matthew gave Cris & I the sad news.
Craig has been a very large influence on so many in our community and will be missed.

~ Mark Matlack
8/30/2022 11:00:29 PM

Bobbi, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.

~ Darlene Updegrove
8/30/2022 9:56:48 PM

Craig was a great coach and has made many young men that came through the Bears legion better players and better people. I will miss him and it is an honor to have called him a friend.

~ Scott Moatz
8/30/2022 9:51:35 PM

Craig was my friend. We had many, many good conversations during the past 34 years at the dozens of tournaments Boyertown played and I officiated. We respected each other’s roles as coach and umpire. He would often present the Bears’ lineup at the pregame plate conference, followed by a healthy handshake. We shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other. I will miss my friend, Craig in future Bears games, but will always value the quiet bond we had as brothers in baseball. May God abundantly bless his family.
Dave Lesko

~ Dave Lesko
8/30/2022 9:12:30 PM

I am so sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. May he be at peace and all your memories bring you comfort.

~ Debbie Stapleton Bechtelsville, PA
8/30/2022 8:17:28 PM

Bobbie my prayers are with you and your family.know that you will see him again. He is with the Lord.

~ Karen Bartholomew Hereford, Pa
8/30/2022 7:58:22 PM

Bobbie, Kevin & I will be out of town for the service but we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Craig was a great man, father & coach to Kevin & so many other players. We are sending you & the girls all our thoughts & prayers during this time.

~ Heather Fronheiser Barto, PA
8/30/2022 7:48:41 PM

I am so very sorry for your loss. Love and care, Karen

~ Karen Mutter
8/30/2022 7:30:03 PM

Bobbie & Family ,,
So sorry to hear of Craig’s passing !
He taught so many boys the game of Baseball, and I know his teachings will continue!
Thoughts & Prayers to you & your Family !
????????

~ Cindi & Blaise DuBree Collegeville, PA
8/30/2022 7:16:57 PM

So sorry, Bobby. Prayers for you and the family!
Tammy & Kids

~ Tammy Wolfram
8/30/2022 7:08:44 PM

Bobbie and girls: Tom and I are so sorry to hear of Craig's passing. He always had a smile for everyone.

~ Linda ORlando Pottstown, PA
8/30/2022 7:07:27 PM

So sorry to hear about Craig hope you are okay hugs to you and your family

~ Evelyn Schwenk Pottstown, Pa
8/30/2022 7:07:16 PM

My sincere condolences to Bobbie and the family. May God envelope each of you with peace, strength and comfort.

~ Dena (Heist) Solomon
8/30/2022 7:04:45 PM