Thomas Kratz

Hancock, Maryland
Thomas James Kratz, age 19, died January 21, 2011, near Hagerstown, Md.

Born July 16, 1991, in Hagerstown, he was the son of William T. Kratz, Jr. and Sherri A. Swain Kratz of Hancock.

He was employed by JLG in McConnellsburg, Pa.

He was a 2009 graduate of Hancock High School.

He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Hancock, where he served as an alter boy. He was a former member of Troop 15 Boy Scouts of America, Hancock, and also served as a staff member at Sinoquipe Scout Reservation, Ft. Littleton, Pa.

He was an avid basketball player and enjoyed hunting, camping and playing the guitar.

Besides his parents, he is survived by one brother, Bryan W. Kratz, at home; maternal grandmother, Eileen (Bishop) Swain, of Hancock; paternal grandparents, William T. Kratz, Sr. and Betty (Moore) Kratz, of Clear Spring, Md. Also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, James W. Swain.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, E. High Street, Hancock, Md. The Rev. John Lombardi will be the celebrant.  Burial will be in the adjoining Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. and  6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the Grove Funeral Home, 141 W. Main St. Hancock, MD 21750.

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com .