- Date Of Birth: July 5, 1924
- Date Of Death: June 24, 2005
- State: Indiana
Joseph F. Kruyer, 80, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2005, in his home.
Joseph was born on July 5, 1924, in South Bend, IN, to the late George P. and Clara (Grater) Kruyer and was a lifelong area resident. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School from 1930 to 1938 and then attended South Bend Central Catholic High School from 1938 to 1942. In high school, he was a member of the student council, class officer, year book staff, school paper staff, and played varsity football and baseball. He attended the University of Notre Dame from 1942 to 1943, before leaving to serve his country in WWII. In May 1943 he joined the United States Marine Corp. and was honorably discharged in September 1945. He was a member of the 4th Marine Division, 23rd Regiment–participated in the invasions of Saipan and Iwo Jima, was wounded twice, and received a Purple Heart with a gold star, two Presidential Unit Citations, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and a WWII Victory Medal. He returned to Notre Dame in 1945 and earned his Bachelor of Architecture in 1948.
On April 19, 1947, he married Irene M. Andrzejewski, who survives. Mr. Kruyer is also survived by his daughter, Deborah Joan Kruyer of Edwardsburg, MI; his two sons, Joseph F. Kruyer, Jr. of Fort Wayne, IN and Robert J. (Diane) Kruyer of Elkhart, IN; four grandchildren, Nicole and Phillip Kruyer of Fort Wayne and Heather and Kevin Kruyer of Elkhart; one great grandchild, Alexus of Fort Wayne; and by a sister-in-law, Frieda Kruyer of Mishawaka, IN. Three special “extended” family members also survive him; Carol Kroll, Mickey Wesoloski and Sally Cornwall, all of Edwardsburg, MI. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl H. and George Kruyer.
He became a registered architect in 1951 in the State of Indiana. He was also a registered architect in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and held a certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. He was a member of the national, state, and Northern Indiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He was a professional member of the Construction Specifications Institute. Joseph became a licensed Real Estate Broker in 1976. Mr. Kruyer served as the Mayor’s appointee to the SouthBend-St. Joseph County Building Authority Board of Trustees. In 1956 he became a member of the Knights of Columbus, where in 1959 he became a 4th Degree Knight. Joseph served as a council officer for 16 years, in the following offices: Outside Guard, Advocate, Chancellor, Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight 1963 to 1965 and six years as Trustee. While serving as Grand Knight, he formed the Golden Knights, started the high school scholarship program, won the Outstanding Large Council Award for the State of Indiana. Mr. Kruyer served as State Fraternal Chairman and Speakers Bureau Chairman under State Deputies Al Holland and Robert Selvaggi. He was elected as the State Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus at the 1968 state convention in South Bend. Served two years as State Treasurer, two years as State Secretary, two years as a State Deputy, two years as Immediate Past State Deputy. Mr. Kruyer was appointed Vice Supreme Master of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus from 1991 to 1995. He served four years as President of the Gibault School for Boys Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Trustees of the Gibault School since 1972 to present. Mr. Kruyer was elected vice-president of “The Gibault Foundation, Inc.” in 1993 to present. Joseph was a charter member of Christ the King Parish Council, where he served five years and a member of the Christ the King Holy Name Society. He belonged to the Lions Club since 1960, serving in the offices of Tail-Twister, third vice-president, second vice-president, first vice-president, president from 1974 to 1975 and chairman of numerous committees. He was the Director of Sobieski Federal Savings and Loan Association from 1978 to January 1993, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1982 to 1984. He was a member of the Polish Business & Professional Men’s Association since 1989, where he was elected to the Board of Directors in September 1991 and president 1993 to 1995. He was an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree, Disabled Veterans, and received awards for “Knight of the Year” awarded by council #553 in 1976 and “Outstanding Catholic Layman” awarded by council #553 in 1977.
Semper Fi!!
