John L. Kraft

John L. Kraft, 83, died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 21, 2018 surrounded by family at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Lancaster, PA, Jack was the son of the late John H. and Emma Landis Kraft. He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Grace Kraft and is survived by Jean Miller Weaver whom he married in 2010. Jack graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1957 and received his Master’s degree from Temple University in 1964. He worked for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission where he was the Director of Ephrata Cloister and Landis Valley Museum retiring in 1991. After retirement, he was the Church Administrator for Westminster Presbyterian Church until 1999. Jack was an elder and founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, a member of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, former president and board member of the Wheatland Foundation, a member of Lancaster County Historical Society and Mennonite Historical Society, former board member of Old Zion Church in Brickerville, former board member of Heritage Center and Lancaster County Cultural Museum. His vocation of history was also his passion. Jack’s inquisitive and open mind was a storehouse of knowledge in not only history, but also architecture, antique furniture, Lancaster County and family genealogy. He valued corporate worship and the community of the church. His friends and family will miss the dialogue and wisdom he shared in working out his own faith in Christ. In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by two daughters: Susan L. Hockerman (Guy H.) of Kirkwood, MO and Ann B. Tweed (Sean K.) of Lititz, PA; two stepsons: Brent A. Weaver (Jeffrey G. Clouser) of Mount Joy, PA, and Kirke D. Weaver (Amybeth M.) of Audubon, PA; three grandchildren: Mara F. Hockerman, Lucia L. Hockerman and Emma G. Tweed; and three step grandchildren: Cecilia R. Weaver, Everett R. Weaver and Addison J. Clouser. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Jack’s Funeral Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Private family interment will follow at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 or the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, 123 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603.