MENOMONEE FALLS — A Mass of Christian Burial was offered for Deacon John James Kraus on Thursday, March 31, at St. Anthony Church here. He died on Sunday, March 27, 2016. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Deacon Kraus was ordained a permanent deacon on July 23, 2004, for the Diocese of Madison. He served at St. Mary Parish, Palmyra, and St. Mary Parish, Sullivan.
He was born in Milwaukee on January 18, 1933, to Argo Joseph Kraus and Ilsa Blanch McCarty Kraus.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, served for 29 years as a Milwaukee police officer, directed security for Marian Catholic Home, and worked for the Oconomowoc police department.
He became grand knight for West Allis Council 3095 of the Knights of Columbus and was founder/grand knight of Sullivan Council 12709.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Ann; children, Gary (Lynn) and Gail (John) Skinkle; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.