Obituary for Ernest John Kruse
Ernest John Kruse, devoted husband, and father, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at UPMC West Shore Hospital, Mechanicsburg.
He was born September 2, 1928, in Elizabeth, NJ, the son of the late Louis and Katherine Kruse. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Marjorie Metzger Kruse. He is survived by a son, Robert W. Kruse of North East, MD, and a daughter, Susan J. Wallete, of Browns Mills, NJ. He was also preceded in death by a brother, H. William Kruse.
A loving husband, he was a caregiver for his dear wife, Margie, for many years after she became disabled, until the time of her passing.
He was employed by the former Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania and retired from the AT&T Co., as District Manager with thirty-four years of Bell System service.
Ernie was a graduate of Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, NJ, and Gettysburg College, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. A strong supporter of the college, he served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows and was a recipient of the Alumni Association Meritorious Service Award. He was a member of the Cupola Society, the 1832 Society, and the Orange and Blue Club.
An Army veteran, he served with the Occupation Forces in Japan following World War II. He received his ROTC Commission at Gettysburg College and was immediately called to active duty following graduation. He served in combat in Korea where he received several decorations including the Bronze Star medal for Heroism, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Prisoner of War medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain-Infantry with more than fifteen years of active and reserve military service.
He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, VFW Post 6771, American Legion Post 26, Telephone Pioneers of America, Korean War Veterans Association, and a former member of the Carlisle Country Club.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA, with Pastor Alex Martini presiding. A visitation will be held in the church on Tuesday from 10:30 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Myers-Baker Funeral & Cremation Services, Camp Hill, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his church or to the Messiah Lifeways Endowment Fund, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, or to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.
He was born September 2, 1928, in Elizabeth, NJ, the son of the late Louis and Katherine Kruse. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Marjorie Metzger Kruse. He is survived by a son, Robert W. Kruse of North East, MD, and a daughter, Susan J. Wallete, of Browns Mills, NJ. He was also preceded in death by a brother, H. William Kruse.
A loving husband, he was a caregiver for his dear wife, Margie, for many years after she became disabled, until the time of her passing.
He was employed by the former Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania and retired from the AT&T Co., as District Manager with thirty-four years of Bell System service.
Ernie was a graduate of Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, NJ, and Gettysburg College, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. A strong supporter of the college, he served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows and was a recipient of the Alumni Association Meritorious Service Award. He was a member of the Cupola Society, the 1832 Society, and the Orange and Blue Club.
An Army veteran, he served with the Occupation Forces in Japan following World War II. He received his ROTC Commission at Gettysburg College and was immediately called to active duty following graduation. He served in combat in Korea where he received several decorations including the Bronze Star medal for Heroism, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Prisoner of War medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain-Infantry with more than fifteen years of active and reserve military service.
He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, VFW Post 6771, American Legion Post 26, Telephone Pioneers of America, Korean War Veterans Association, and a former member of the Carlisle Country Club.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA, with Pastor Alex Martini presiding. A visitation will be held in the church on Tuesday from 10:30 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Myers-Baker Funeral & Cremation Services, Camp Hill, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his church or to the Messiah Lifeways Endowment Fund, 100 Mt. Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, or to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.