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Thomas Kruse, age 80 of Beckemeyer, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.
Mr. Kruse was born to Robert J. and Alvina R. Kruse on May 22, 1941, in Breese, IL. Tom went to Mater Dei High School and then attended the University of Illinois, where he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and graduated from the ROTC program. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Janette Schwarz, at St. Dominic’s Church in Breese on December 28, 1963, and they were blessed with 57 years of marriage. Mr. Kruse later served as a Captain in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Tom was a member of the Beckemeyer St. Anthony’s Parish, and he taught PSR classes at church for many years. He was a member of Beckemeyer American Legion Post 1227, the Breese-Beckemeyer District #12 School Board, and an Alderman of the Village of Beckemeyer. He was employed at Scott Air Force Base in the Engineering Department for 35 years. Tom was an avid sports & computer fanatic and worked on various local genealogy projects. He enjoyed coaching and watching his children (and grandchildren) play sports.
Tom is survived by his wife Janette; 5 children: Michael (Theresa) Kruse; Evelyn (Michael) Schrand; Gregory (Rene) Kruse; Douglas (Angela) Kruse; and Amy (Michael) Froess. He has 14 grandchildren: Madison, and Samantha Kruse; Aubrey, Kaylee, and Lacey Schrand; Ashley, Brooke, and Justin Kruse; Houston, Griffin and Jaelynn Kruse; and Brett, Cole, and Paige Froess. Tom is also survived by siblings: Alberta Garcia and Paul Kruse.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Robert Kruse, Jerome Kruse, and Glenn Kruse.
A Catholic Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at St. Anthony's Church in Beckemeyer. Military honors will immediately follow at the church. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle on Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. and on Thursday from 8:00 - 10:00 A.M. Expressions of sympathy in his memory are suggested to St. Anthony's Church, the American Heart Association, or to the American Diabetes Association. Memorials and condolences may be sent to Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton St. PO Box 276, Carlyle, IL 62231.
American Heart Association
Web: http://www.heart.org
American Diabetes Association
Web: https://diabetes.org/
St. Anthony's Church
Beckemeyer IL 62219