Alfred E. "Al" Krueger's Obituary
Alfred “Al” E. Krueger, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 in Homeworth, Ohio.
He was born at home in North Ridgeville to Elmer and Martha (Stranahan) where he graduated from high school in 1942 excelling in basketball, 6-man football and baseball and coaching women’s softball for St. Peter CYO in the early 1940’s.
Al was drafted into the US Army in Dec 1942 and served with the 84th Infantry during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded both a Silver Star and Purple Heart. Al was married while on furlough to Harriett (Kern) on November 28,1943. He worked as a fireman for the North Ridgeville Fire Department beginning in 1950, first as a volunteer and then as one of the first full time firemen in 1967. He also worked for CP Gilgenbach Excavating, retiring from both in 1984 and moving to Westlake, Ohio. Al & Harriett moved to Fort Myers, Florida in 1999 to enjoy several years before settling down at Copeland Oaks in Sebring, Ohio in 2002 for their golden years.
He was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elyria and played catcher for their softball team for 10 years. Al was a charter member of Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Church in North Ridgeville. He became an associate member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Alliance, Ohio after moving to Sebring, He was a charter and life member of the North Ridgeville Lions Club, serving as both treasurer and president. Al was also a lifetime member of the VFW.
Al enjoyed gardening, bird watching, camping with his family and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. He also enjoyed being a host to foreign exchange students Sakhi Barati of Las Vegas and Kazumi Sasahara of Sendai, Japan.
Survivors include his son, Adam (Thomas Fenner) Krueger of Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Susanne (Charles) Mead of Alliance; grandchildren Elizabeth (Dustin) Bricker and Joel (Jamie) Krueger; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Lauren and Ella Bricker; sisters Irene (Jerry) Camp of LaGrange and Pauline Markel of Elyria.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriett in 2011; parents, Elmer and Martha; brothers, Herman, Wilbur, Paul, and two infant brothers; sisters, Luella Shaw, Mildred Kettel, and Margaret Morris.
Friends may call Sunday from 2-4 PM at the Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville. The North Ridgeville Lions Club will conduct a wake service at 3:30PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 AM at the funeral home. Rev. Megan Elliott will officiate.
Burial will be in Fields Cemetery, North Ridgeville. North Ridgeville VFW Post 9871 will conduct Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Ridgeville Fire Department Museum, 7090 Avon Belden Rd., North Ridgeville, 44039 or the North Ridgeville Lions Club, PO Box 39213 North Ridgeville OH 44039.
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