Thomas V. “Thom” Kruger

Thomas V. “Thom” Kruger, 70, of Plymouth, passed away Thursday, Jan. 26. 

Thom was born on June 18, 1946, in Logansport, to the late Henry and Winifred Kruger. He was a 1964 graduate of Winamac High School and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette. On Nov. 24, 1971, Thom married Melody McFarland Binkley in Winamac. She survives.

Thom grew up in a family that was active in the Boy Scouts of America, through which he earned the Order of the Arrow accolade and became an Eagle Scout. He carried his love for the outdoors through his entire life. He enjoyed camping, canoeing and campfires. He particularly enjoyed bonding with his children and grandchildren through these activities. Throughout his life, he had a passion for motorcycles and scenic trips, at one time traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thom was a talented carpenter and had worked alongside his father in Winamac for many years. He also shared his passion of working with his hands with students as a teacher of industrial arts at Knox and Fairfield High Schools. Most recently, Thom was retired from AM General in Mishawaka after working many years at Plymouth Tube in Winamac. 

After retirement, Thom enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren who were the light of his life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife Melody Kruger of Plymouth; daughter Holly [Jim] Wheelbarger of Bolivar, Missouri; and grandchildren: Zacheri [Emily], Cameron, Tyler, Makalyn and Kent; daughter Joy [Doug] Fuerst of Wayne, Pennsylvania, and grandson Henry; son Andy [Emily] Kruger of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and granddaughter Harper, and two great-grandchildren; and siblings: Mary Crawley, Lewis [Helen] Kruger, and Bob [Becky] Kruger; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation was 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the funeral home. Michael Burroughs officiated. Private burial took place in Winamac Cemetery in Winamac. 

In the later years of his life, Thom struggled with depression. The family is requesting that memorial contributions may be made to the mental health services provided by Pulaski Memorial Hospital Senior Care or to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

(Pulaski County Journal — Feb. 1, 2017)