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BORN
1925
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Frank Kruta Obituary
Frank Kruta Jr., 89, of Belleville, Ill., born Dec. 28, 1925, in East St. Louis, Ill., died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill.
Frank was a former co-owner of Kruta Bakery in East St. Louis and retired after 75 years. He was a member of the Toastmasters, Jaycees, Exchange Club, Lodge Estlian 404, Over the Hill Gang, the Grounded Flyers, Master Bakers Assoc., and a 25 year volunteer for PSOP. Frank was an avid bowler and card player.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce R., nee Gergen, Kruta; his parents, Frank and Stella, nee Vokracka, Kruta Sr.; and his brothers, Tony (Sue) Kruta, Joseph "Peppy" (Edna) Kruta and Casey Kruta.
Surviving are his children, Teri (Rick) Wuebbels, Pat (Kenny) Mertens and Ken Kruta; his grandchildren, Craig (Theresa) Wuebbels, Kurt Wuebbels, Scott Wuebbels, Greg (Katherine) Mertens, and Kyle Mertens (fiance Shannon); his great-grandchildren, Morgan Wuebbels, Trent Arterburn, Emily Mertens and Evelyn Mertens; his sister, Estella Cich (the late Walter Cich); brothers and sister-in-law, Norman (Ellie) Gergen, Don (Wendy) Gergen, Robert Gergen, Dean (Sharon) Gergen, Terry (Dixie) Gergen and Dianne Nash (the late Ray Nash); and many loving nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation @ jdrf.org or to Jason Motte Foundation, Let's Strike Out Cancer @ jasonmottefoundation.org.
Memorials can also be given at the mortuary office. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.kasslyfuneral.com.
Visitation: Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights, Ill.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights, Ill., with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.
KASSLY MORTUARY, Fairview Heights, Ill.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frank Kruta
Percy McKinney
October 14, 2015
The Kruta family has been a part of my life most of my life. From Goose Hill to Collinsville, you have been stalwarts and just plain "good people". Blessings to you and deep sympathy for your loss. percy mckinney
Gary and Mary Blome
October 13, 2015
Pat and the Kruta family: Please accept our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father but he is in our thoughts and prayers. We were out of town and were unable to be at the visitation.
Kathy & Larry Moskop
October 12, 2015
Ken, we were sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We were not able to come to the funeral home but praying for you and your family to help get through your pain at this time.
Susan Smith
October 12, 2015
My condolences to the Kruta family on your loss. As an adolescent and then a teen my Mother always asked if I wanted a cake and it was always from Krutas Bakery. They were always years ahead in creativity and designing cakes that were memorable for memorable times in our lives. My favorite had a carousel theme with horses and a canopy and was lovely. Mr. Kruta added enjoyment to the lives of so many people. That was back in the 1960's and mine was just one of the lives he enriched. What a wonderful man. Thank you.
October 12, 2015
We were unable to be at the visitation. We express our deepest sympathies to all of the family.We always enjoyed Frank's friendly smile and seeing them at local gatherings. He is in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Pat Biehl
October 11, 2015
I was so sorry to read of Frank's passing in the BND. We were classmates at East Side and I sat in the desk behind him in Mr. Pannet's home room class. Frank has always been one of my favorites. We would stop by the bakery when in the Collinsville area and hope to see Frank. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jim Stewart, Wood River, IL
Tiffany Walton
October 11, 2015
Sorry for your lost and I am praying for the family.
Julie (Muren) & Ed Grubb
October 11, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Margaret Furlow
October 11, 2015
So sorry. My prayers go out to you and you family. You know where i am if you need to talk to someone
Sandy Haney
October 11, 2015
My sincere condolences to thr Kruta family. I knew he and Joyce
For many, years through Lodge Estlian 404. He was a kind and considerate man and will be missed.
October 10, 2015
Another fine Christian from E.St.Louis has been called home to our Father. It was a pleasure to know Frank since the 1930's. His brothers joined him at the Salvation Army playing many sports. I know this since I was always the bat boy or the ball boy in basketball and softball. The names of all the players have always been a pleasure to remember. They were all very good citizens and all enjoyed growing up in East St Louis. No one will ever forget the good pastries and pies as good memories. Looking forward to seeing all of them in Heaven when it is my time.
Deepest sympathy to all family members that had the good fortune to be counted in the Kruta Family.
Jack Muckey
Mary Ferguson
October 10, 2015
Teri,
So sorry to read of the loss of your father. Kruta Bakery has been a mainstay of my life since I was old enough to walk! Thinking of you at this time.
Dianne Nash
October 10, 2015
Frank was the best ever brother in law ever(my FAVORITE) I will never forget when I was going to college and working in Belleville in the 60's he and my sister Joyce would let me stay with them so I could catch the bus to work because my car wasn't very trusty. Not only did I get to visit my nieces and nefew whom I adore, I got to eat pastries from Krutas bakery each evening for deserts. Frank was a good man and will be sadly missed.
October 10, 2015
RIP, Frank. We are remembering the good times had with you and Joyce.
Ken and Shirley Holmes
Sandra Oakley
October 10, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss. Frank was a wonderful person. I talked with him as I always did when I would see him at the family reunion and I'm so glad we shared our thoughts that day. I will keep the family in my prayers during these difficult days.
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