Craig VanSice

Craig Len VanSice, age 57, resident of Tucson, Arizona (formerly of Bellaire, Michigan) died at the Northwest Medical Center in Tucson on Monday, October 14, 2013. Craig was born July 22, 1956, in Bellaire, Michigan to the late Harold and Maxine (Bailey) VanSice. In 1974, Craig graduated from Bellaire High School. Prior to moving out to Arizona in 1979, he worked at the Bellaire Golf Course as well as in construction. He also attended Davenport Business College. In 1979, Craig moved to Mesa, Arizona because the location was relatively free of snow. On August 18, 1979, he married Debra Lenore Biehl, also of Bellaire. After their marriage, they made their home in Mesa, Arizona. Craig continued to work construction until becoming manager at Angels' Home Improvement Store. In 1983, Craig and his wife moved to Tucson, Arizona where he opened a new Angels' store. After a few years, Craig went into business for himself and established Spectra Paint & Remodel, which he operated until the mid 1990s. Craig also was an award winning photographer known for his Arizona scenic, plant, and animal life photos. Using mesquite wood, Craig made chairs, benches and walking sticks. On a lathe, he fashioned vases and lamps. He sold his photos and mesquite woodwork at various arts and crafts fairs as well as Tucson area gift shops. Craig liked socializing with friends, traveling, playing pool, shooting darts, going on hikes, and fishing. He also enjoyed spending time with his former parakeet, Bailey, and his current cat, Bernie. Preceding Craig in death are his mother, Maxine (Bailey) VanSice; father, Harold VanSice; and father-in-law, Harold M. Biehl. Surviving are Craig's wife, Debra of Tucson; brother, David (Jamie) of Bellaire; sister Leora Hughes of Pleasant Valley; mother-in-law, Bernice Biehl of Bellaire; sister-in-law, Sharon (John) Donovan of Milwaukie, Oregon; brother-in-law, Harold Biehl of Hudson, Michigan. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Tues. July 22, at the Bellaire United Methodist Church at 6 pm. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire. Memorials may be directed to the Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, Arizona.