David L. Kraft, age 82, of Ashville, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2015.
He was born Oct. 28, 1932, in Circleville, son of the late Claude and Marvine (Mader) Kraft.
David was a 1950 graduate of Ashville High School, and a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan and The Ohio State University.
He was a member of Village Chapel UMC and had a lifelong passion for hunting and baseball.
David pitched the 1950 Ashville High School team to the finals of the State Regional Tournament, was selected to the National Baseball Congress Tournament for the State of Ohio semi-pro team in 1955 while pitching for Hilltop Van at St. Paris, Ohio, and was the winning pitcher in the 1961 NBC State of Ohio Tournament in Mansfield.
Dave especially loved and appreciated his wife and family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Norma (Roese) Kraft; daughter, Marty Kraft; and sister, Ann Weekly.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Smith) Kraft; children, Cindy (Roger) Bell of Ashville, Nancy Cunningham of Lockbourne and Jerry (Chris) Kraft of Ashville; grandchildren, Jackie (Chad) Havens, Brian (Stephanie) Bell, Ashley (Jim) Klingshirn, Chad (Ashley) Cunningham, Cole Cunningham and Cassie Cunningham; six great-grandchildren; six step-children; numerous step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2015, at Village Chapel United Methodist Church, 30 Circleville Ave., Ashville. Pastor Kevin Pees and Pastor Thomas Scoby will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St., Ashville, and one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday at the church. Burial will be at Harrison Twp. Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Village Chapel Deeper Blessings, 30 Circleville Ave., Ashville, OH 43103; or Circleville American Legion Baseball Post 134, c/o Jeff Lanman, 505 Northfield Dr., Circleville, OH 43113.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
