William Krupps

GALESBURG - William "Bill" J. Krupps, 90, of Galesburg died at 12:40 a.m. Friday, March 16, 2012, at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg.

Bill was born July 20, 1921, in Mount Sterling, the son of Raymond and Rose (Boylen) Krupps. He married Dorothy O'Brien on May 29, 1948, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on July 5, 2011.

Bill and Dorothy were the loving parents of five children, two nieces and one nephew: two sons, John (Linda) Krupps of St. Augustine, and Joseph (Gina) Krupps, Galesburg; three daughters, Dr. Barbara (William) Weaver, Chicago, Mary R. Krupps (deceased) and Carol (Doug) Wilson, Washington; two nieces, Susan (Bob) Mills, Muskegon, Mich., and Anne (Dan) Miller, Ely, Iowa; and one nephew, Andy Pitman, Galesburg.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ben Miller, Jenny Peterson, Brandy Steele, Adam Downing, Billy Krupps, Matt Miller, Katy Feldt, Kendra Boone, Maggie Mills, Becca Barth and Rachael Dierickx; 13 great-grandchildren with another to arrive any day; and a sister, Marjorie Garrison of Galesburg.

Bill graduated from Monmouth High School in 1939. He served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a pilot instructor, flying B25s from 1944 to 1946. Bill was a partner of Consumers Grain and Supply in Galesburg for 34 years, retiring in 1987. Bill also owned and operated his own crop dusting service using a Stearman.

He was a member and past parish council member at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, a 50-year member of Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556, a past member of the Exchange Club, and the Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Illinois Grain and Feed Association, Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285, and served many years as a Scout leader.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with the Rev. Tom Holloway officiating.

Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, where military rites will be performed by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home.

The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be directed to St. Vincent DePaul Society or to Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285.

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