William Krahn

William R. "Bill" Krahn, 79, of Jackson passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Aurora, Ill., son of the Rev. Walter and Matilda Obenauer Krahn. He and Bernice Kester were married Sept. 1, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim.

Bill graduated from Perryville High School and attended St. John's College in Winfield, Kan.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 12, 1956. He was honorably discharged Sept. 11, 1958, and served in the reserve until Sept. 11, 1962.

Bill worked at Jackson Hosiery Mill and then worked 20 years at Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1992.

He was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Aurora, and confirmed May 25, 1947, in Griffith, Ind. He has been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson since 1960 and has held various offices and positions within the church.

Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed reading about history and listening to classical music, but one of his greatest joys was doing woodwork for his grandchildren.

Loving survivors include his wife of 55 years; two daughters, Kristine (Mark) Kruse of Columbia, Mo., Kathleen (Tim) Sherman of Warrenton, Mo.; six grandchildren, Dan, John, Jordan, Andrew, Megan and Madison; a brother, Kenneth (Elinor) Krahn of Battle Lake, Minn.; three sisters, Elaine Tilton of Virginia, Helen Reisenbichler of Jackson and Cheryl (Steve) Smith of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Wednesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating. Interment will be at 1 p.m. in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Mo.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests that memorials take the form of contributions to St. Paul School Foundation or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.