John Anthony Kruse

Born on March 23, 1954, in Toledo, Ohio, John was the son of John and Mary (Hansen)Kruse. 

He grew up in Toledo, where he attended Whitmer High School.  He joined the Air Force on April 9, 1976, and later was a member of the Air National Guard.  He was honorably discharged on September 29, 1978.  John worked various jobs until he started at the U. S. Postal Service on October 2, 1982.  He retired from the USPS on April 30, 2004.  Not one to sit still for long, he started his own painting company, JAK Painting.  From there John went on to be employed by the University of Findlay from May 15, 2006, until June 10, 2016.  After retiring from the University of Findlay, John enjoyed his retirement to the fullest.   

John is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Cheryl (Morgan) Kruse, and their two children Lindsay (Kruse) Elhoni and Steven Kruse (Marlo Thomas); sister, Carol (Kruse) DeGroff; sister, Marilyn (Kruse) Somers (Tom); cousin, Chuck Hansen (Ann); and so many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.  John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Kruse and Mary E. (Hansen) Kruse. John was a hardworking man.  He was very artistic which kept him busy in his retirement.  He spent time helping Lindsay...the best dad a daughter could have. Steven and John shared a love of baseball (Tigers then Braves), football (Green Bay Packers and The Ohio State of course), Seinfeld, and Friends.  Any time they were together they were quoting favorite episodes to each other. He was a devoted pet dad and pet grandfather. 

John will be remembered as a loving husband and father. A man who could fix anything with a little duct tape and force. A man of integrity and faith, being a long-time member of St. Luke’s church in North Baltimore, Ohio, with a sharp sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He will be missed by so many. John wanted a private ceremony with his immediate family.  He also wanted a huge celebration of life, a party with Bob Seger playing in the background.  We will honor his wishes and the date of his celebration of life will be announced at a later date, when the weather is more agreeable.  John loved animals and reading, so in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to The Toledo Zoo to support the animals’ care, (https://www.toledozoo.org/donate) or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, designed to support literacy in children, (https://www.ohioimaginationlibrary.org/donate).

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