Herman G. Kratz

Herman G. Kratz of Caro, age 94, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Carey's Young at Heart AFC Home in Caro. Herman was born March 14, 1922 in Akron, the son of the late Herman John & Ethel (Gulliver) Kratz. His childhood was spent during the years of the Great Depression, and although he was a lifelong area resident, he moved fourteen times as a child. In December 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1945. Herman was united in marriage with the former Dorothy Dowker on February 25, 1947 in Angola, Indiana, and the couple has cherished more than seventy years together. Herman's working years were spent with Saginaw Steering Gear in parts repair, a career that spanned over thirty-three years. He was a devout Christian and member of the Caro Free Methodist Church where he served as a song leader and Sunday school teacher. He was an accomplished musician that could play the fiddle, guitar, handsaw, spoons and harmonica. Having grown up farming, agriculture never really left Herman's blood, and he enjoyed tending to his garden, caring for his lawn, and helping his children farm. He was deeply committed to his family, and will be remembered for his fun loving, compassionate nature and dry sense of humor. Herman was a great story teller, avid reader, and was known to walk into a room whistling. Herman is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Kratz of Caro; children, Carol Shaver (Robert Dietlein) of Bay City, David (Jeanette) Kratz of Kingston, Renee (Hans) Krause of Vassar, James (Cathy) Kratz of Caro, Douglas Kratz of Beech Island, South Carolina, Kevin Kratz of Munger; eleven grandchildren, Caroline Hubbard of Vassar, Gary (Diane) Shaver of Sandusky, Larry (Brandi) Kratz of Kingston, Jeremy (Jennifer) LaPratt of Vassar, Michael (Mary Margaret) Krause of Redmond, Washington, Heidi (Dusty) Weinzierl of Millington, Kerri (Nick) Hubbard of Vassar, Hannah (Chad) Lewis of Marquette, Seth Kratz (Katie Ramos) of Grand Rapids, Katherine Kratz (Allen Mills) of Warrenville, South Carolina, Nathan Kratz of Beech Island, South Carolina, Marissa Kratz, Morgan Kratz, and Konner Kratz, all of Munger; twenty great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dean Kratz of Caro; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Herman was also preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters, Lynn Devere, Thurman, Charlie and Robert Kratz, Elaine Clinesmith, Janice Gould and Leo Kratz. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Chaplain Richard Barriger officiating. Burial will follow at the Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro. The family will be present to receive friends on Sunday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Tuscola County Imagination Library or the donor's favorite charity. Visitation Information Date: Sunday, March 12, 2017 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 6:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends on Sunday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Monday, March 13, 2017 Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Chaplain Richard Barriger officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Monday, March 13, 2017 Indianfields Township Cemetery Address: 989-673-2428 | Map Burial will follow at the Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro.