Vern M. Kraus, age 67, of Morristown, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at his residence. He was a member of Word of Life Church of God and was an ordained minister of the Church of God since 1972. He was a retired Special Education Teacher who worked with troubled children and earned his PHD from Vanderbilt University and became an Associate Professor at Lee University. Vern was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during Vietnam. He dedicated his life to showing the love of God and serving his community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Marjorie Kraus; and sister, Sandy Shults. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Ruby Kraus; son, Dr. Mathew (Dr. Laura) Kraus of Talbott; grandchildren, Jackson, Zoe, Greyson, and Lealand; sisters, Carol (John) Chilton, Diane (Jim) Urban, Lynn Rhodes, Rise’ (Richard) Ewalt, and Janene Blakely; and aunt, Donna (Willie) Engle. The family will receive friends and celebrate his life from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, January 15 at Westside Chapel Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 16 at the Mountain Home National V.A. Cemetery in Johnson City for military graveside services. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Smoky Mountain Children’s Home in Sevierville.  Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.

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