Grandfather died Monday night

Obit: • Julian L. Kratzner

FLORA, Ill. — Julian L. Kratzner, previous owner of Julian’s Drive-In Restaurant in Flora, died at 11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at Gentlecare Nursing Home in Vincennes, Ind. He was 93 years old and had suffered a fall two months before.

Julian was born in Centralia on Oct. 30, 1916, to Dan W. Kratzner and Henrietta (Cramer) Kratzner. He worked at the Hollywood Candy Factory, became head meatcutter at Kroger Grocery, and it was in Centralia that he married Mildred B. Layton on Nov. 28, 1935. He survived the Great Depression in 1930, a German prison camp during World War II while serving in the U.S. Army, the death of his daughter, Donna Haney-Hilali, and countless other trials and tribulations. He worked himself up from poverty to owner of a successful restaurant that enabled him to put his two children through college. After retirement, he was able to spend time playing golf, and he also enjoyed genealogy. Following the death of his wife in 1998, he went to live with his son.

He is survived by his son, Roland Kratzner and wife, Judy, of Vincennes; six grandchildren, Mark, Julie, Jonathan, Dawn, David and Darren; and two great-grandchildren, Linus and Benjamin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter and one sister.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. CST Saturday at Floral Garden of Memories, Flora. There will be no visitation.

Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Flora Academic Foundation.