Valery F "Val" Kraft
Valery F. “Val” Kraft, 92, of Fort Gratiot, died Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
He was born December 6, 1932 in Detroit to the late Francis and Marie Kraft. He married Marilyn J. Belcher on June 11, 1955 in Grosse Pointe. She preceded him in death on January 31, 2008 after 52 years of marriage.
Val graduated from St. Joseph High School in Detroit in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, reaching the rank of Corporal. After his service, he worked with his father at Alcoa Aluminum, then moved into production control at MASCO, and later joined St. Clair Metal, retiring in 1991.
A dedicated member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Val joined the Knights of Columbus at 18, was a founding member of Fr. William F. Welch Knights of Columbus Council 11756 and achieved both 3rd and 4th degree status. He also volunteered for over 20 years with the Port Huron Hospital Festival of Trees. Val enjoyed bowling, golfing, horse racing, mall walking, barbecuing for loved ones, and a good game of Scrabble with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl (Larry) Herbon; daughter-in-law, Julia Kraft; four grandchildren, Brian Herbon (Kayleigh Hering), Michael (Kelly) Herbon, Jacquelyn Kraft (Kevin Lai) and Ian Kraft; three great grandchildren, Colin, Hayley and Tobin Herbon; sister, Rita (Warren) McGarry; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Robert and Marilyn Kovach. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry and David Kraft; and sister, Catherine Cartwright.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2025 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025 in St. Mary Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Zbigniew Zomerfeld will officiate.
Burial will be in Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com
Upcoming Event Schedule
- 2025-08-20T14:00:00-04:00
- 2025-08-20T20:00:00-04:00
Visitation
Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home
- 2025-08-20T19:00:00-04:00
- 2025-08-20T19:30:00-04:00
Rosary
Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home
- 2025-08-21T10:00:00-04:00
- 2025-08-21T11:00:00-04:00
Visitation
St. Mary Catholic Church
- 2025-08-21T11:00:00-04:00
- 2025-08-21T12:00:00-04:00
Funeral Mass
St. Mary Catholic Church
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