Edgar Kreft

Edgar R. Kreft “Ed”, 91, of Rogers City
passed away on December 27, 2016 at
MediLodge in Hillman, Michigan.

He was born on April 15, 1925, to
Rudolph and Louise (Sterns) Kreft in Rogers City, Michigan,

He attended school in Rogers City and graduated from Rogers City High
School in 1943, and enlisted in the Army. He served in a tank destroyer
battalion and was shipped overseas, landing in France in 1944. He was

in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and was taken prisoner by
the Germans on Christmas Eve. He spent several months in various prison
camps in Germany, and was finally liberated on Easter Sunday of 1945.
After a period of time for rehabilitation, he was discharged and he
returned home to Rogers City.

He purchased Parkside Cleaners in Rogers City and operated it for
approximately 20 years and upon the sale of the business he became a
Sanitarian with the District Four Health Department in Rogers City,
retiring in 1986, In 1950 he married Shirley Meyers of Cheboygan,
Michigan, and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

They had four children: Richard (Peggy) of Lakeview, Michigan;
Kenneth of Indian River; Michele (Paul) Meyers of Woodstock, Georgia;
and John (Tami Bober) of Presque Isle, all of whom survive. He is also
survived by four grandchildren: Marci Kreft, Gillian Kreft,
Gabrielle Kreft, and John Paul Kreft, one great granddaughter: Ava Kreft;
three step-grandchildren: Joshua Nelson, Jeanette Williams, and
Jonathan Nelson; six step-great grandchildren: Morgan and Sutter
Williams, Marshall, Daphne, Deacon and Evan Nelson;
one uncle, Ralph Kreft, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Louise Kreft,
a brother Eugene, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Kreft.

After his retirement in 1986, Ed and his wife enjoyed many years of
leisure and traveled to many areas around the country. They wintered in
Florida for many years, and enjoyed visiting with their children and
grandchildren, Boating and golfing were enjoyable hobbies and he always
enjoyed his sailboat particularly. Summers would usually find them at
their Grand Lake Cottage where he could enjoy his sailing! Until recent
years he had always been an avid reader and especially enjoyed historical
novels, He was a formidable opponent in games requiring historical
knowledge. He enjoyed playing chess. As his eyesight failed during the
past several years he missed his reading, but was still able to play a good
game of Skip-Bo and won a good many of those games right up until the
last couple of weeks of his life.

He was a member of Westminster Church and over the years had served on
the Board of Deacons and also as an Elder. He was a member of the
Westminster Men’s Club for many years, He was a charter member of the
Rogers City Servicemen’s Club, a member of VFW Post 607, Rogers City
Lions Club, a 50 year member of the Rogers City Lodge #493 F.&A.M.,
Presque Isle County Historical Museum, Rogers City Area Seniors, and
the Michigan Environmental Health Association,

In more recent years Ed found his health failing and required dialysis for
a year before his kidneys stabilized, at which point the dialysis was
discontinued. His health continued to fail and he required care, most
recently at MediLodge in Hillman, Michigan

Services are in care of the Beck Funeral Home, with visitation on Friday,
December 30th from 3 ~ 8 p.m, at the funeral home, and will continue at
Westminster Church from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at 10 o’ clock
with Revs. Greg and Karen Zurakowski officiating. Rogers City VFW
Post 607 will offer a military tribute immediately following church
services.

He will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Rogers City.

Memorials may be made to Westminster Church, Presque Isle Food Pantry,
Presque Isle County Historical Museum, Rogers City Area Seniors, or
a charity of your choice.