John M. Krafft

John Murray Krafft passed away peacefully on March 2, 2022; He was the beloved husband of Sharon Slavin Krafft; devoted father of John Krafft, Jr., David Krafft and his wife Stacy, Amy Krafft Bandiere and her husband Brant, Andrew Krafft and his wife Kathyren, and the late Timothy Krafft; loving grandfather of Carter Bandiere, Sophia Bandiere, Jason Krafft and Decklan Rogers,; cherished son of the late Charles Krafft, Sr., and Elma Krafft; dear brother of the late Charles Krafft, Jr., Katherine Ellis, Marie Babkiewich, James Krafft, Helen March, George Krafft, Joseph Krafft, and Mary Teresa Krafft.

John grew up on a dairy farm in Henryetta, Oklahoma. He attended college at St Gregory’s College in Shawnee, OK and St Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS. John then served in the US navy from 1958 until 1962. He moved to Denver, CO and completed his bachelor’s degree in Business at the University of Denver.

John remained in Denver, CO after graduation and obtained a position with Hartford Insurance Co from 1965-1967 as an underwriter. In 1967 he joined Maryland Casualty Co, which became American General and then Zurich Insurance, for 30 years. During that time, he was transferred from Denver, CO to Baltimore, MD, then to Seattle, WA and back to Baltimore, MD. In 1988, he was transferred to St Louis, MO and back again in 1990 to Baltimore, MD as his career advanced.

John met Sharon in Denver, CO in 1966 and after a whirl wind courtship they were married in Denver on June 18, 1966. They were able to celebrate 55 years of marriage.

John loved to dance. He was witty and enjoyed getting together with friends. He was always there to help anyone was in need of assistance. John lived a God centered life and always put his family responsibilities ahead of himself.

John turned his “hobbies” into a profession. First was Mini Oaks Enterprises which he and his sons mowed lawns to help with their college funds. Then Glen Spring Gardens was created, a landscaping company. He loved to create living beauty with trees and plants as well as stone walls and patios. John had a strong work ethic which he instilled upon his children. They endowed him the nickname “The Proprietor”.

He retired to relax and fish in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He loved to fish from the ocean shore, on his boat, and from his dock on the canal at the house. He loved to tend to the crab pots in the mornings to make sure that we would have a special dinner in the evening. He was active at our church in Kitty Hawk, NC as a member of the Men’s Club and assisting with various activities.

In 2014, he returned to Maryland to be closer to family. He enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up. He was thrilled that Andrew, Kathyren and Decklan moved to Maryland. Unfortunately, he began his struggle with dementia soon after moving to Havre de Grace, MD. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

God saw that he was getting tired and the cure was not to be. So God put His arms around him and whispered “Come with me”.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, Inc. (610 W. MacPhail Road Bel Air, MD 21014) on Friday March 25th from 5-8 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 26th at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church (222 S Law St, Aberdeen, MD 21001). Inurnment in St. John the Baptist Cemetery (315 N Constitution Ave, New Freedom, PA 17349) on Sunday, March 27th at 2 p.m.