Ralph E. Kruger

Ralph E. Kruger, 85

Ralph E. Kruger, 85, of Round Grove passed away surrounded by his family at 2:55 am, Sunday, June 21, 2015.

He was born July 22, 1929 in Jasper County to the late Benjamin and Theresa (Hintz) Kruger. He graduated from Rensselaer High School where he was President of the FFA Chapter. He attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago.

While working at the Remington Theater, Ralph met and later married the love of his life, Mary Hackley on November 21, 1953 at the Hackley/Atkinson Homestead in Benton County. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in Korea during the Korean War in the very elite Signal Corps. He was one of the first to calibrate and repair key radar systems in combat. He received a belated, but well deserved, Korean War Medal from Congressman Buyer at Grissom Air Reserve Base in 2002.

Growing up, he worked at Rensselaer airport, learned to pilot planes at the age of 14 and continued to pilot until the tragic death of his brother in an airplane crash. He was innovative and pioneered the installation of the first televisions in the area. The community relied on his skills and eager support as the "go to" television repairman. He had a passion to farm, was a lifelong farmer and adopter of new techniques such as no-till. He turned down a prestigious career in technology in order to farm. After his children were kicked out, Ralph mentored young adults in the area.

He was a member of Mt. Gilboa United Methodist Church in Fowler. He was known for his dedication to his faith, his missions and his years of teaching adult Bible Study. He enjoyed fishing, reading, raising show livestock, and gardening with his wife, Mary. Mary and Ralph also sang in a quartet together. He liked to play pinochle and could fix just about anything. Above all, his family was most important. Ralph sacrificed and invested for and in his children, ensuring that they were all able to attend college. He cherished the tradition of his family's annual camping, fishing, memorial and Christmas tree trips. God and family was his greatest joy.

Along with Mary, his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his 5 children, Tim (Lisa) Kruger of Noblesville, Joyce (Don) Yost of Windfall, Wayne (Tina) Kruger of Monticello, Lisa Kruger of Fishers, and Stephanie (Brad) Johnson of Greentown; 2 sisters, Sharon Reher and Bonnie Maniscalco; 7 grandchildren, Nicole, Matt, Luke, and Bryce Kruger, Paul Yost, and Zachary and Megan Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Helen Casper; a sister Helen Englert; 3 brothers, Jerry Kruger, Fred Kruger, Jim Byer.

Friends may call from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm (EST), Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Stitz-Clapper Funeral Home of Remington. Funeral Service at 11:00 am (EST), Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Mt. Gilboa United Methodist Church, 8322 East 300 North, Fowler, IN 47944 with Pastor Sue Spurlin officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Gilboa Cemetery in Fowler.

Memorial Contributions may be given in Ralph's name to Mt. Gilboa United Methodist Church or to Via Quest, Serenity Hospice.

Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com