Gerald Kroeger

Gerald M. Kroeger, 78, of Tripoli died Monday, September 21, 2015 at Tripoli Nursing & Rehab in Tripoli. Funeral Mass was held Thursday, September 24 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner, with Rev. James Brokman officiating. Interment was at St. Joseph's Paint Rock Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry.
Gerald Michael was born at home in Earlville January 18, 1937, the son of Hubert and Genevieve (McElmeel) Kroeger. He received his education at Independence Grade School and St. John's and Independence High School. From December of 1954 to October of 1957, he served with the U.S. Navy as an air traffic controller on the U.S.S. Lexington II, and was stationed at Corpus Christi, TX. He was united in marriage with Ruth M. Hass July 5, 1983.
Gerald worked at John Deere & Company for 32 years and retired in October of 1991. He is a lifetime member of American Legion Post #772 in Harpers Ferry. He served as mayor in Harpers Ferry for two years in 1996 and 1997, and also assisted with the meal site in Harpers Ferry. He enjoyed playing cards, golfing, fishing, and most especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Ruth, of Tripoli, he is survived by six daughters: Pamela (William) St. John of Prairie City, Deborah (Mike) Liles of Cape Coral, FL, Rebecca (friend Jeff) Anderson of Ankeny, Tracy (Tim) Quigley of Ionia, Wanda (Fritz) Tippery of Prairie du Chien, WI and Anita Fay of Waverly; three sons: Gerald W. (Cory) of Moline, IL, Paul (Sun Li) of Kalleen, TX and David (Pam) of Earlham; 25 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ellen (Steve) O'Brien of Dubuque; three sisters-in-law: Mae Kroeger of South Carolina, Ardyce Haas of Ettrick, WI and Elizabeth Quidileg of Marina, CA; and several nieces and nephews.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John, Andy, Bernard and Robert; a brother-in-law, James Hass; and a sister-in-law, Patricia Owen.
Memorials may be made in his name to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-9929, or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.