Orville Eugene Krafft, Jr., 88, of Croswell, died Thursday, January 18, 2024.
He was born March 24, 1935 in Marysville to the late Doris I. and Orville Eugene Krafft, Sr.
Orville worked at Mueller Brass for several years before opening Gene’s Cycle Sales, a Triumph Motorcycle dealership where he sold and repaired motorcycles. He was a highly decorated racer and a member of the Port Huron Motorcycle Club. Orville then began his career in law enforcement as an officer and sheriff posse member in St. Clair County. After moving to Colorado, he served simultaneously as Chief of Police in Monument and an officer in Palmer Lake; and then completed his career as a detective in El Paso County, Colorado Springs. After retirement and returning to Michigan in 1989, Orville, always a hard worker, held various maintenance positions, spent time as a ranch hand in Florida, and worked at his daughter’s frontier town attraction, Six Gun Territory. He loved hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, watching sports and Western movies. More than anything, Orville enjoyed time spent with his family.
He is survived by his children, Kathie Saffee, Karen (Gary) Wesch, Sharon Davidson, Jacqueline Krafft, Jeffrey (Annette) Krafft, Mark (Martha) Krafft, and Julie (Michael) Carlyle; 20 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren with one on the way; 3 great great grandchildren; siblings, Lois Hickox, Gail “Sue” (Jim) Gogas, Elaine (Geoff) Mann and Ronald (Jennifer) Krafft; sister-in-law, Sarah Kraft; former wives and the mothers of his children, Marie Heering and Gail Ackles; companion, Jeannette “Carol” McGregor; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved dog, Bruce.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barb Krafft; son-in-law, Rondeau “Ron” Saffee; great grandchildren, John Tate, Camryn Wesch-Perzanowski, and Riley Dales; and brother, Vaughn Kraft.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Michael Carlyle and Elder Gary Wesch will officiate.
Burial will be in Riverlawn Cemetery, Marysville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com.
