Michael Croft

Michael John Croft was called to Heaven on September 2, 2025. He was born on January 30, 1981 in the middle of a 14 inch snowstorm at Crittenden County Hospital in Marion, KY. He was a graduate of Crittenden County High School Class of 1999.

Michael fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a United States Marine in 2003 when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He was a combat veteran and served 2 tours in Iraq fighting in the war and had the position of "Forward Observer" calling out the precise coordinates of enemy locations.

Michael was awarded several medals of bravery and achievement for selfless acts he performed to save his brothers in arms from enemy fire. He was also presented many awards for achievements on the home front including, Superior Performance as the Rifle Range Instructor and excellence in coaching his team to win the championship game in the Marine Corp Basketball Tournament.

Michael experienced his share of pain and he used his bad experiences for the greater good of others as he educated them on PTSD and the benefits of soldiers owning pit bulls for therapy and mental health issues. He was a strong advocate for pit bulls as he worked to dispel the negative myths about the breed. Michael had a gift that allowed him to connect with pit bulls who had suffered trauma from abuse or had been used as fight dogs. He was able to rehabilitate those dogs into calm, happy loving dogs, giving them the voice they deserved.

Michael was a talented artist who loved music and dance and belonged to several dance groups. He was known for his infectious smile and his weird but hilarious sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, co-workers and his Marine Corps Brothers who are brothers for life.

Survivors include his loving mother, Deborah (Jason) Luton; father, Brian (Kelly) Croft; daughter, Brianna (Zach) Hermacinski; grandmother, Carolyn (James Driver) Rose; aunts, Jennifer (Jose) Gracia and Laura (Danny) Koon; cousins, Meighan (Gabe) Mott and Blake Martin and his great aunt, Gayle Myers who he fondly called "Mama Gayle."

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John Rose and Harold Croft; cousins, Brandon Martin and Jerry Lynn Myers; great aunt, Paulette Myers; great uncles, Ronnie Myers, Tony Myers and Jerry Myers; many of his Marine Corps Brothers and his beloved pit bull, Rocco, who he rescued from a fight ring and rehabilitated.

Services are scheduled for 2 PM Friday September 12, 2025 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY with interment in Mapleview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 11 AM until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Military Rites will be held at the cemetery on Friday.

Donations may be made to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton MA 02780 or Project Hope Humane Society, 1698 W 10th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960.