Francis Krauss Justus

Francis Krauss Justus Jr., 88, Smithville died February 10, 2009.

Krauss was born March 3, 1920. He married Ann Hall on February 14, 1943. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the tribe of Mic-O-Say. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1941 and immediately joined the Navy Air Force and served as a flight instructor during World War II training over 4,000 fighter pilots. Following the war he obtained his MBA at Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1952, Krauss and his family returned to Smithville where he lived his entire life. Krauss was a successful entrepreneur and developer who founded both The Mill Bridge Management Corporation and Smithville Leasing Corporation. Krauss will be remembered as a colorful story teller and long time historian which led him to become the President of the Smithville Historical Society. He and his wife Ann would have celebrated 66 years of marriage on this Valentine's Day.

Survivors include his wife Ann; children, Lynn (Walt) Feitshans of Titusville, FL, Jeanette Justus (Richard) Kusper of Newport Beach, CA, Frank (Maria) Justus III of Smithville, MO, Rosalie Justus of Whitefish, MT, Warren Justus of Kissimmee, FL, Jonathan (Camille) Justus of Smithville, MO, Laura (Nathan) Irvin of Loch Lloyd, MO; grandchildren, Sierra Lynn Barras, Frank Justus IV, Nolan Ryan Justus, Evelyn Doize Irvin, Nathan Isaac Irvin Jr (Ike), Clere Ann Irvin and Nora Rosalie Irvin.

Funeral Service: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14^th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Burial with Military Honors: Goss Cemetery, Smithville.

Visitation: 4 to 8pm Friday at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to the Smithville Historical Museum.