Louis Benjamin Kraft
Louis Benjamin Kraft was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, on December 18, 1949, to Louis
Powell and Elsie Vera Wilken Kraft. Ben was dearly loved by his older sisters, Gretta and Elsie,
who he pestered mercilessly. He grew up in Brentwood, a close-knit St. Louis suburb where he
thrived as a free-wheeling child of the 1950s. Even in his seventh decade, he enjoyed close
Brentwood friendships.
He married Michelle Pelphrey Kraft in 1974; they had two sons, Louis David and Samuel
Joseph Kraft. He guided his family gently with his even temperament, wisdom and great humor.
Ben loved sports and joyfully played at Brentwood High School, where he served as Class of
1967 President his senior year. His yearbooks, filled with well-wishes and friendly jabs from his
classmates, are a testimony to those happy years. He played intramural sports in college and
on basketball and softball teams as an adult. He faithfully followed the St. Louis Cardinals and
Blues Hockey. Ben loved the easy banter of men enjoying each other’s company; nowhere is
that better done than on a sports field.
Coaching his sons’ baseball and early soccer teams gave Ben joy and satisfaction. He was a
good teacher and his innate sense of fairness served the boys and their families well. Those
years on the ball fields of Webster Groves were some of his happiest.
Ben graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1973 and began his career at St.
Louis Lithographing, where he started in sales and was honored to serve as President in later
years. He was a member of the Label Printing Industries of America for many years, making
friends across the country. He served as an Executive Committee Member and as LPIA
President. He went on to start his own company, SignKraft, before retiring in late 2015.
Ben’s gifts of organizational and administrative skills served him well in business, in his family,
and as Deacon for nearly twenty years at his beloved Old Orchard Church in Webster Groves,
Missouri. His dearest gift and treasured identity was as a Servant of Jesus Christ. His quiet
trust in the Lord, particularly in his final days, was a comfort and testimony to all who knew
him.
Though he experienced unexpected and difficult health challenges in the past five years, Ben
never complained or spent time feeling sorry for himself. He got busy and focused on what he
could do, not what he couldn’t. This is the hallmark of a man of great character.
Ben is survived by his wife, Michelle, two sons Louis David (Alexandra) and Samuel (Angela),
sisters Gretta Kraft and Elsie (Bill) Link, and brothers-in-law Joe Pelphrey (Debra Grodecka)
and Steve Pelphrey (Lecia).
Ben (Geeps) loved and was loved by his grandsons, Avey Kraft of Boston and Harrison and
Russell Kraft of St. Louis. His nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews on both sides of
the family were loved by their Uncle Ben.
A memorial service on Saturday, May 29, will be held on the lawns of Old Orchard Church and
the Milligan House, 640 Amelia Avenue, Webster Groves, MO 63119. All who love Ben are
welcome. Visitation from 9:30 to 10:30; service from 10:30 to 11:45; light luncheon on the lawn
following the service. Chairs and some tents will be provided at Old Orchard Church; you may
want to bring lawn chairs and umbrellas. Parking is on the street. A short graveside committal
service at St. Paul Churchyard will follow the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Old Orchard Church with the notation “for
Deacon’s Fund”.
I truly loved Ben as a brother and as a friend, and I admired him very much. We will all miss him terribly. It’s true that we’ll see him again — that’s a profoundly bright day in the future — but for now his absence from us is a sad and heavy reality. I pray for encouragement for Michelle and the boys and their extended families.
So sorry for your loss.
We were saddened by the news of Ben’s death. I could not have asked for a better boss or a better friend. Our condolences to Michelle and all of the family.
This is a lovely tribute to Ben, a remarkable man. He was blessed with a loving wife and family. We are praying for you at your time of loss.
Some of my fondest memories are of Ben coaching my son’s baseball team. Ben was a great teacher of good sportsmanship and the art of the game. Through Cub Scouts, Clark School, and sports, the Kraft family was always involved. They were sharing their time and values with our community. Michelle San David I’m sorry for your loss.
Michelle and family, I am so saddened to hear about Ben’s passing. I met him only once at the last class reunion, but one could tell that he was a man of goodness, love, and character. Isn’t amazing how fast one can discern that a person is remarkable. Prayers and hugs.
My prayers are with Ben and his family. He was always fair and easy to work for.
Was sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. May your faith and family be of comfort to you during this trying time. Always enjoyed my years working at Litho as it seemed like family. As this door closed on his life, I am sure the gates of heaven have opened and he was greeted by his heavenly father.
I had the pleasure of knowing Ben for 37 years. Ben was a good friend who made everything we did fun – from Indian Guide trips, Little League games, golfing, going to Rams and Cardinal games to a vacation in Italy. Ben was a happy person and had a way about him that made everyone who was fortunate enough to spend time with him happy as well. He will be greatly missed.
Ben was a wonderful and generous person, and all of us who had the great pleasure of knowing him will miss him dearly. Our deepest sympathy to Michelle, David, Sam and the entire Kraft family. Thanks for everything, Ben. You gave a lot of yourself to all the people around you, throughout your life, and made the human world a better place by being in it.
Michelle, what a beautiful tribute to Ben! Remembering with great fondness our time as neighbors on Bluewater Trail, and your first home on your beloved Amelia. Sending prayers for comfort and peace to you, and to your family.
I can still see Ben and Michelle moving into their home on Amelia with their very tall plant protected with many paper bags, looking like a giraffe. Life on Amelia was heaven we all agreed, as were the wonderful friendships. Ben Kraft was much loved for his quiet and strong character. He will be missed and held in our hearts. Michelle, we love you.
I can still see Ben and Michelle moving into their home on Amelia with their very tall plant protected with many paper bags, looking like a giraffe. Life on Amelia was heaven we all agreed, as were the wonderful friendships. Ben Kraft was much loved for his quiet and strong character. He will be missed and held in our hearts. Michelle, we love you and hold you and your family in our prayers.