Myron "Mike" Kraff

Myron “Mike” Kraff, 83, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital.


Mike was born in Brooklyn, NY to Martin and Lee Kraff and enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He married his wife, Pat Kraff, on Aug 26, 1961 while on active duty, enjoying their time together stationed at bases in Japan and other areas in the US and abroad. After 26 years of a gratifying career Mike retired from the USAF as a Lieutenant Colonel with a Ph.D. and moved to Columbia in 1977. He continued as an Assistant Professor in Health Care Management at the University of Missouri and went on to become Vice President of the Hospital Services Group, an insurance company created by the Missouri Hospital Association located in Jefferson City. He retired in 1998 and Mike and Pat continued their passionate pursuit of the arts, travel and education. Mike volunteered at Boone Hospital, The Museum of Art and Archeology, and the Columbia Public Library.


He is survived by his son Kevin and daughter-in-law Leslie and their two children, Summer and Forrest. Kevin and his family live in Los Angeles, CA and visit Columbia frequently.


His wife of fifty years, Pat Kraff, and his older son, Michael, preceded him in death.


Mike will be deeply missed by his many friends and family members whose lives he touched with his enthusiasm and compassion. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia and Tiger Place Assisted Living Facility for their compassion and care.


Memorials are to be given to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Funeral services for Myron "Mike" Kraff will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery.