MEET OUR STAFF

Jeannie Craddock has been an active member of TUMC for 35 years. She is the director of the Celebration Ringers, the Sanctuary Choir and occasionally plays the piano as a service musician. She was “raised on the organ bench” with her mom being a church organist and choir director while her dad was a licensed lay speaker. Jeannie began singing in church at the young age of 6. In 2020 after 33 years of teaching, she retired from Tuscola CUSD 301 as the MS & HS Choral & Musical Director. She now spends her time volunteering and is active in Kiwanis International, MOPS, DAR, and as the Personnel Advisor for Chi Omega Fraternity.

Jeannie grew up in the Chicago area and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Education from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Arts degree in Choral Conducting/Vocal Performance from Eastern Illinois University and studied voice at the Chicago Lyric Opera. Jeannie has performed with the Decatur Park Singers, the C-U BACH Society, and the C-U Chorale, and has judged contests, pageants, talent shows, and show choir competitions throughout the state. Jeannie has been the guest conductor for several High School and Junior High Festival Choirs throughout the state. She has conducted IMEA Vocal Jazz Choirs in Districts 2, 3, 5 and 6, 8, and ILMEA Junior High Festival Choirs in Districts 5 and 8 and. As the former ILMEA All-State Chairman for the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, she was also the ILMEA District 5 Vocal Jazz Representative for 25+ years.

Jeannie is a member of ILMEA, IRTA, Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Fraternity, Chi Omega Fraternity, Kiwanis International, and DAR. Jeannie and her husband, Dan, live in Tuscola and have 2 grown children: Rachel (Brayden), and Jacob.