Willie was born on November 14, 1927 and passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019.
Willie was a resident of Neffs, Ohio at the time of passing.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving on the USS Franklin during World War II and a life member of the Neffs Rod and Gun Club.
Karl W. Kraft, age 99, of Batavia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 15, 2019 at Brighton Gardens of St. Charles.
He was born June 23, 1920 in Batavia, the son of Albert J. and Annie W. (Johanson) Kraft.
Karl was united in marriage to Violet “Vie” E. (Ogren) Kraft on April 22, 1950 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles.
He was a 1938 Batavia High School graduate and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Franklin aircraft carrier. Karl became an apprentice plumber in 1946 and started K.W. Kraft Plumbing in 1962.
Karl was a member and past Master Mason of the Masonic Lodge, Batavia 1197; Royal Arch Masons of Illinois, Fox River Chapter #14; Montgomery V.F.W. Post #7452; Batavia American Legion Post #504; Loyal Order of Moose, Batavia Lodge #682, and a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia.
He is survived by his three sons John (Andrea), Peter (Leslee) both of Batavia, and Robert (Carolyn) of Galena MO; seven grandchildren Kelly (Elias) Ford of Nebraska, Benjamin of Florida, Joseph of Chicago, Jaymes (Dori Stein) of Batavia and Chelsea of Geneva, and Samuel and Annie Kraft of Chicago; four great-grandchildren Ann, Eli, and Mathew Ford of Nebraska and Aria Kraft of Batavia; sisters-in-law Sara Murtaugh of Batavia and Sally Mayer of Mount Carroll; many nieces and nephews; and a neighborhood full of good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Everett W. (Elaine) Kraft; and his loving wife Violet who passed away in 2018.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 9:00 am until the time of his funeral service at 11:00 am at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St, Batavia with Rev. Steven Ritter officiating.
Interment will follow at West Batavia Cemetery in Batavia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln Street, Batavia, Illinois 60510 or Valley Sheltered Workshop, 325 Main Street, Batavia, Illinois 60510.
Arrangements handled by Malone Funeral Home in Geneva. For information 630-232-8233 or visit http://www.malonefh.com.
U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13)
2020 Reunion, March 19-22
NOTE- THIS REUNION HAS BEEN POSTPONED
Hosted by: April and Ken Homko
in memory of Ken’s father Harry Homko (K-Div)
We are so excited to be hosting another reunion! Not just “another reunion” but the reunion on the 75th Anniversary of the attack on the Franklin. We will be bringing the reunion back to a great town we have visited before, Pensacola, FL.
Security is a lot tighter than when we stayed on base back in 2007. So we will be staying at the historic Pensacola Grand Hotel located at 200 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola. They are giving us a great rate of $100/night for their standard room with 2 Queen Beds. They will honor this room rate fom 3/17-3/24. (Please note that breakfast is not included in this rate. There is a restaurant located in the hotel that is open for breakfast and dinner. See the attached menu. We will also provide some continental breakfast items in our hospitality room daily.) Currently we have 45 rooms blocked. These rooms will be held only until February 20th and then they will be released. So, please do not delay booking your room. To do so, call the hotel directly at 850-433-3336, ask for reservations and then provide the four letter code: C V 1 3. Also, it has been mentioned that Pensacola does not have a very big airport with many flights. So, if possible, do not wait too long to book your flights.
The Pensacola Grand does offer a complimentary airport shuttle from 6am-10pm and there is no charge for parking if you drive. They are the top hotel in Pensacola for Military Reunions with a great location in the heart of Downtown Pensacola. It is minutes away from shopping, dining, and entertainment venues with Pensacola Beach only 8 miles away. Many of you know when planning a reunion there are many factors to consider to find the best possible hotel for our group. So, although we do not have breakfast included, this hotel is the best choice to meet the majority of our needs. They will definitely give us service and attention unmatched by any other hotel in the area.
The reunion will start Thursday, 3/19 with registration beginning at 4pm in our hospitality room. There will be a Board meeting beginning at 5pm.
Friday, 3/20 we will board Trolleys and head to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Everyone 16 and older will need a picture ID to enter the museum! At the museum will have our Memorial Ceremony, a guided tour of the museum, watch an IMAX Movie, enjoy lunch at the Cubi Bar Café and possibly a tour of the National Flight Academy. Trolleys will head back to the hotel at different times in the afternoon so everyone has enough time to enjoy the museum. Friday night join us in the hospitality room for some entertainment.
Saturday, 3/21 the general meeting will be in the morning and the dinner dance in the evening.
Sunday, 3/22 will be the 8 o’clock Report in the morning.
In closing I need to give a GIANT “Thank You” to Tom from Beach Bum Trolley for all his help with this reunion. If I hadn’t (by chance) gotten in touch with him I don’t think I would have volunteered to host! You can check out this link on his website for our reunion itinerary and menu for the Friday lunch: http://beachbumtrolley.com/franklin.htm
CLICK THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION TO SEND IN TO KEN AND APRIL BY FEBRUARY 10, 2020.
CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE THE HOTEL RESTAURANT MENU.
USS Franklin Museum Association 