Clarence Richard Kruger, son of Robert and Florence (Arnsmeyer) Kruger, was born August 29, 1924 in Billings, Missouri. He departed this life on Sunday, May 27, 2018, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, in the Missouri Veterans Home at the age of ninety-three years, nine months, and two days. He peacefully went to be with his Savior after a short illness.

After graduating from Billings High School in 1943, he joined the United States Navy to serve his country during World War II. On board the USS Yorktown CV10 in the Asiatic Pacific, he was a Machinist’s Mate Second Class. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 he worked with his dad on the family farm in Billings.

On August 27, 1949 in Springfield, Missouri, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Biggs of Lebanon, Missouri. They were married 52 years. To this union three children were born. He worked at Hermann Brownlow Automotive in Springfield, and later he was employed by Underwood Typewriter Company in Springfield, Missouri. In 1966 he was employed by Vermillion Products as their shipping manager. He retired from Vermillion in 1986 after 20 years. During the years after retirement, he worked part-time as a bank courier, floral delivery driver, and at Elfindale Manor as a security guard.

He was saved in 1951 and served the Lord faithfully all of his life. He became a member of the Springfield First Free Will Baptist Church in 1952 and was active in church work until he moved to the Missouri Veterans Home in 2015 when he was 90 years old.

He loved the Lord, his family, church, and the United States of America. He lived his life with integrity and honor—a selfless man that put others first before himself.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Florence Kruger; his brother William Kruger; two nephews: William Kruger Jr. and Karl Kruger; and his wife Kathleen Kruger.

He is survived by his three children: Jana Steele and husband Mark Steele of Springfield; Jerry Kruger of Republic, and Terry Kitsmiller and husband David Kitsmiller of Nevada, Missouri; his five grandchildren: Lyndi Proctor, Dustin Steele, Jason Steele, Kylie Jones, and Kensi Kitsmiller; his eight great-grandchildren: Carin Freeman, Alana Glidewell, Audrey Steele, Braden Proctor, Addison Proctor, Maverick Steele, Onyx Steele, and Adelaide Jones; and one great-great-grandchild Haylee Freeman.

Visitation for Clarence Kruger will be Wednesday, May 30, 2018 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Greenlawn North Funeral Home at 3506 N. National; Springfield, Missouri. Funeral service will be Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 2:30pm at Greenlawn North with Rev. Jacob Jones and Rev. Charles Horton officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn North Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield First Free Will Baptist Church mission fund.

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