Paul J. Kraus' Obituary
Paul J. Kraus, 91, of Decatur, died Monday, June 11, 2012 in his home with his family by his side. Paul was born April 25, 1921 in Farmersville, IL, son of Fred and Mary Ann (Benson) Kraus. A member of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Paul worked as a steamfitter/pipefitter for 60 years with 28 of those years at Johnson Controls. He was a WWII Army Veteran serving in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater attaining the rank of Sergeant and receiving four bronze stars. Paul was a member of Steamfitter/Pipefitter Local 65, and a lifetime member of American Legion, Elks and K of C's. He loved to hunt, fish, golf, walk, and bird watch. He was an avid Cardinal and Bear fan who always had a wonderful garden and could fix anything. Paul married Mary Pauline Johno on October 18, 1947 in Decatur. Surviving is his wife of nearly 65 years, Mary of Decatur; sons: Michael (Beverly) Kraus of Decatur, Gary (companion, Heidi Griffith) Kraus of Boise, ID, Stephen (Brenda) Kraus, and Gregory Kraus of Decatur; daughters: Patricia (Russell) Goodwin of Decatur, Barbara Evans of Decatur, and Paula (Kevin) Vanderbeek of Terre Haute, IN; fifteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister, Clarissa Fernandes of Jacksonville; sisters-in-law: Bertha and Mary Lou Kraus of Phoenix, AZ, and Helen (Jim) Zindel of Decatur; brother-in-law, William Tucker of Butler; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. His parents; infant son, Paul David; brothers: Frederick, Louis (Helen), Edward, John; sisters: Margaret, Regina, Irene (Fritz), Florence (Albert), Frances (Jerry) and Monica preceded him death. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 15, 2012 in St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Rev. Nicolas Husain celebrant. Visitation will be Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home; vigil prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Decatur with military rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to: St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church or St. Teresa High School.
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