Ernest Edward Kraatz

Ernest Edward Kraatz, surrounded by his wife and children, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on March 1, 2017 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.  He was 87.

Ernest was born on October 15, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to Walter and Julia (Jaster) Kraatz.  He grew up in Akron and graduated from the University of Akron where his father taught Biology.

Ernest married the love of his life Joanne Patricia Kerns on December 22, 1951 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army, serving in multiple posts including Vietnam over the course of a 23 year military career.  After the military he managed a data processing company until his retirement.

Ernest was a devoted husband and family man.  He enjoyed building and fixing things from model ships to myriad projects around the house.  He passionately loved his Lord, his church and studying his Bible.  Some of his favorite pastimes were discussing theology and writing about what he learned in his studies.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanne, his children Diana McConnell, Christina Bynum (Pierre), Michael (Beth) and Kenneth.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Jessica Burt (Kelly), Kathleen McIntosh (Jerred), Catherine Long (Jonathan), Joseph Bynum, Joshua Bynum (Meghan), Connie Spires (Bruce), Emily Kraatz, Chelsea Cicalo, Leland Kraatz, David Kraatz and Alice Kraatz.  He is also survived by his great grandchildren Evan, Jonathan Jr, Jesse, Mia, Jordan, Khloe, Autumn and Adelynn Rose.  He was preceded by his son, Robert.