John Frank Kraft Jr., 81 years, entered his heavenly home on Dec. 13, 2011 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Mo., surrounded by his family and friends.
John was born March 20, 1930 in Lincoln, Neb., to John Frank and Bertha (Schwindt) Kraft Sr.
John was self-employed as a commercial and residential real estate appraiser. John was born to German immigrant parents who came to America in the early 1900′s. He was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors. As a young boy, he attended Mt. Zion Bible School in Ava, Mo., and returned to the school for his college education.
John was a life-long student of the Bible and was dedicated to teaching and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and was always eager to produce scriptural confirmation of God’s saving grace.
On Feb. 6, 1999, John and Patty (Sawyer) were united in marriage at the Little Bell Chapel in Harrison, Ark.
John was a member of the Ava Highway Church of the Nazarene and Gideons International. He was a Korean veteran and served with the U.S. Navy. While serving, his plane was shot down in enemy territory. For six months he was behind enemy lines. He praised the Lord for saving him.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Doris June Kraft and Marlene Storey.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Patty Kraft, Ava, Mo.; five children, Jeffrey G. Kraft, Douglas D. Kraft, Coni J. Stokes and husband, Dennis, Cathi D. Newton and husband, Bugs, and Angela Hendrickson; 13 grandchildren, Adam, Dana, Lisel, Alex, Zach, Staci, Kelli, Tanner, Tyler, Justin, Samantha, Carrie and Nicole; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
John loved his church. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Funeral services for John will be Friday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo., with burial in the Ava Cemetery with full military honors by American Legion Post 112 and VFW Post 5993. Visitation will be Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Wayne Rose and Pastor Mark Hatcher. Memorials may be made to Ava Highway Church of the Nazarene or Gideons International.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
