James “Jim” Kraus, 86 years of Dover, IN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Jim grew up in New Alsace and attended Guilford High School. During his sophomore and junior year he joined the seminary where he played baseball. After deciding the seminary was not the right path for him, Jim finished his high school career at Guilford. After high school, Jim joined the United States Army and met his future wife, Maria, while in Germany. Maria moved from Germany to marry Jim & they settled in Dover to raise their family. Jim worked at Seagram’s for 37 years before retiring at the age of 55. The volume of work at Seagram’s fluctuated, so during the times when he was laid off, Jim worked for Rom-Weber and held various other jobs. After retirement, Jim wanted to remain busy so he earned his realtor license. Jim found love after Maria’s death and married Beth in 2014 who passed in 2020.
Throughout his life, Jim played a part in his community. For many years, he shared his love for sports by coaching several baseball and softball teams in the area. He also loved bowling and fishing with his “fishing buddy” Paul, and anyone that wanted to join him. Jim had many friends in the area and enjoyed weekly Thursday breakfasts around town with them. Through the spring, summer, and fall Jim would care for acres of gardens and fruit trees behind his home along Route 1. Those that lived nearby or passed through town benefited from his love of gardening because Jim shared his bounty by placing it on a table in his front yard. People could buy tomatoes, apples, pears, peaches, lima beans, green beans and peppers from his roadside stand.
Jim will be deeply missed by his children Rita (Bill) Hummel, Bill (Brenda) Kraus, and Barbie (Johnnie) Whiteford; grandchildren Michelle Hummel, Kelly (Mike Lorenz) Hummel, Jamie (Brad) Becker, Brandi (Brian) Beard, Brooke Kraus, Jessica Whiteford, Kristin Whiteford, Nicholas Whiteford; great grandchildren Bailey & Brooklyn Becker; siblings Denny (Mary) Kraus, Wally (Jackie) Kraus, Carole (Paul) Weldishofer, Junior Kraus, Leon (Donna) Kraus, Sandra (James) Wagner, Mark (Sue) Kraus, Maryjane Henning, Tim (Tammy) Kraus, sister-in-law Millie Kraus; and many nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by Maria, his wife of 47 years; his second wife, Beth; sons Douglas Kraus and Jim Kraus Jr.; brother Paul Kraus; sister-in-law Joyce Kraus; and parents Albert & Norma (Wuestefeld) Kraus.
Following in the footsteps of his mother, Norma, Jim donated his body to further the education of medical students. A memorial service honoring Jim will be held on Thursday, March 6 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of All Saints Parish at 9:00am and continue until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Military honors will immediately follow. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to Masses or Family’s Choice. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.
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