Robert E. Kraft

Robert was born January 7th, 1928, in Round Bottom, Ohio in his families log home. A son of the late Harry and Ada (Shaw) Kraft. He was one of two graduates of Green Local High School in 1946. And a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna. He proudly served in the United States Army, during the U.S. Occupation of Japan. He was employed at Frank Chervan Inc. (Darwall) for 30+ years. Additionally, he worked for Taylor Chair for 15 years until retirement.

A master wood craftsman, Robert brought ideas and solutions to life with his craft, spending many hours in his workshop in the garage. As a kid he made sling shots, stilts, water wheels, and other toys for himself and siblings from scraps of wood found on the farm. As a young man he took drafting classes at the University of Akron. Later he built himself a house on Lovers Lane, in Ravenna, that he lived in for a short time and sold afterwards when he moved to Virginia for work. Throughout his life, Robert designed and built rocking chairs, kitchen cupboards, cutting boards, lazy susan’s, bedframes/headboards, bookshelves, nightstands, TV stands, Christmas mangers, hall trees, and dollhouses, among many other things.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna, Robert served faithfully with his time and effort on multiple committees. He was a part of the trustees committee and volunteered to be chairman, he served on the parsonage committee, and volunteered several years working in the Belfry concessions stand.

One of Robert’s sweetest hobbies was bee keeping. He was introduced to bee keeping by his in-laws Homer and Lucille Kibler and his brother-in-law Ed Kibler. He maintained several hives over the years, even taking them Downhome to Southern Ohio, in the back of his car. He gave away more honey than he sold and enjoyed sharing his hobby with others. Additionally, Robert was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing his fruits and vegetables. He maintained several gardens and tended to award winning blueberry bushes.

Survivors include wife Ruth of 58 years, daughters Renee (Donald) Hardy of Akron, Ohio, and Ronda (Todd) Richardson of Delaware, Ohio; also survived by grandchildren Joshua, Jeremiah, Caleb, Abby, and Lynette; additionally, brother Paul (Sara) Kraft and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by parents Harry and Ada Kraft, brothers Donald and Wayne Kraft and sister Fritz Hickman.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main Street, Ravenna, on Friday, July 5, 2024 from 10am until the 11am funeral service, officiated by Chaplain William Wisniewski. Interment at Maple Grove Cemetery in Ravenna will immediately follow.

Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna, 263 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266, or Cross Roads Hospice & Palliative Care, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr. Suite E Uniontown, Ohio 44685.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com