Duane H. Kraus Had a great passion for music

Duane H. Kraus, 62, of 540 Mohawk Dr., died suddenly Saturday, May 26, 2007 after a long illness of heart disease. His wife was with him.

Born May 5, 1945 to Richard and Harriette Honard Kraus of Erie. He was preceded in death by two brothers, David and Charles.

A lifelong resident of Erie, he graduated from Strong Vincent High School and Erie Business College. He retired as a Vice President for PNC Bank after 33 years of service. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army serving in Viet Nam.

Duane was very active in the Erie Community especially with his well known tenor voice. His true passion was music. He was a soloist performing for many dignitaries, special events and audiences all over the world. He was founder and director of The Lake Erie Concert Choir and the Senior Sunshine Revue for Mercy Center on Aging Performances; and was Director for the Choristers of the Maennerchor Club, St. John's Lutheran Church Choir, Mercy Center Chorale and many others. He had an energy for estate sales establishing "Enaud Antiques and Sales". Duane had a passion and drive for life. He had many private voice students both young and old of whom he was very proud.

In addition to his parents, he will leave his wife, Deborah Vicos Kraus; a son Eric, Erie (fiancée, Erica Nuber); a daughter, Tiffany Kraus Chumbley (husband, Darin); sister, Elaine Pollock (David); brother, Richard (Judy); and many loved nieces and nephews. His presence will be intensely missed.

Friends may call Tuesday 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St. A service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach St., Thursday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Victor Pavlenko of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Rev. Michael Allison of Mercyhurst Preparatory School will co-officiate.

Entombment with military honors will be at Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions to the established Duane H. Kraus Performing Artist Scholarship Fund, in care of Mercyhurst Preparatory School, 538 Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504. This award will be given to a student who excels in voice and music with the same passion of its founder. Memorials may also be made to the Mercy Center on Aging, 444 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504, where his wife is Program Director. Tyrian-Commonwealth Lodge No. 362 F.& A.M. will conduct services at the funeral home Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Published in the Erie Times-News from 5/28/2007 - 5/30/2007.