FRITZ G. KRAFFT, 93, died Saturday, July 12, 2008 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana after several months of failing health.

He was born in New Orleans and moved to Springfield in 1937. He worked at Thompson Grinder until 1966, when he opened Krafft and Associates, a grinding and lapping service. Fritz acquired several patents and continued designing throughout his life. He loved his family, travel and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Virgil; six children and spouses, Kaye and Anton Sprenzel of Germany, Sara Mintz of England, Bill and Jane Krafft of Springfield, Melissa Zunis of Union, John and Sharon Krafft of Hamilton, and Gretchen Krafft of Springfield; three stepdaughters, Patti and Mutty Berner of Ponchatoula, Becky and Larry Roberts of Ponchatoula, and Kathy and David Parker of Hammond, Louisiana; daughter-in-law, Jane McWilliams of Hammond, Louisiana; two brothers, Otto Krafft of Hammond, Louisiana and Emily Krafft of Tullahoma, Tennessee; fourteen grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, June in 1993; and stepson, Joel McWilliams.

Funeral services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Private burial will be held in Ferncliff Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Fritz’s memory to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1801 St. Paris Pike, Springfield, Ohio 45504 or the charity of your choice. The family is being served by the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.