Merle Kraft

Merle E. Kraft, 85, of Decatur, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL, with visitation 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2017, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery, Mt. Zion, IL, with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Zion Chapel United Methodist Church or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.Merle was born July 6, 1931, in Blue Mound, IL, the son of Herbert and Mae (Reynolds) Kraft. He married Kathaleen Crawford Canaday on August 12, 1978 in Mattoon, IL.Merle was a farmer, and part owner of Kraft Brothers Grain in Turpin Station. He also worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as a welder and Grohne Concrete as a truck driver. Merle was a U.S. Navy Veteran. Merle was a member of Zion Chapel United Methodist Church, Macon Lodge #8 AF & AM, America Legion in Dalton City, and the Mt. Zion Lions Club. He enjoyed golfing at the Decatur Public Golf Courses, was an original member of the Big Dummies Golf Club, and attended the Masters Tournament in 1997. He was an avid Illini fan, and loved the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed volunteering as a Bingo caller, going to card parties with Kak, and Friday lunch with his friends and family at the 48 Inn.He is survived by his wife Kathaleen of Decatur; sons Darrell (Theresa) Kraft of Mt. Zion, IL, Edward (Marcia) Kraft of Des Moines, IA; daughters Carol (special friend Leonard Thomas) Moomey of Blue Mound, IL, Rita (Dale) Colee of Forsyth, IL; brother Wayne Kraft; sisters-in-law Charlotte Kraft and Sally (Steve) Dennee; son-in-law Keith (Beverly) Ashby of Decatur; daughter-in-law Marilyn Canaday of Decatur; 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; many beloved nieces and nephews, and bonus family Thomas Goodwin, Michelle Craycroft, Theresa Medler, & Angie Wehrle.He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dean & Jack Kraft, sister Virginia Kraft, daughters Diane Kraft, Cathy Ashby, and Barbara Crowder, son Richard Canaday, sons-in-law Gilbert Moomey and Larry Crowder, and grandson Kyle Stone. "
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