Ronald L. "Ron" Kruse

August 7, 1953 - October 28, 2019

Ronald L. Kruse, 66, of Wapakoneta, died 5:08 p.m., Mon. Oct. 28, 2019, at Lima Memorial Health System Emergency Room, following a sudden illness. He was born Aug. 7, 1953, in Lima, the son of Adrian & Dorothy (Thuman) Kruse, who preceded him in death. On Oct. 24, 2005, he married Dorothy I. “Dottie” Bielak, and she survives. Other survivors include, 3 children, Brian A. (Kristen) Kruse, Beavercreek, OH; Lisa K. (Ericka Henderson) Kruse, Clearwater, FL; & Douglas E. (Laura) Kruse, Sylvania, OH; 3 step-children, Ericka (Joel) McIntyre, New Orleans, LA; Michael (Maegan) Hampton, Vicenza, Italy; & Daniel (Ashley) Ruck, Wapakoneta; 9 grandchildren, Gibson, Josephine “Josie”, & Paige Kruse; Caroline & Molly Kruse; Madeline & Mila McIntyre; Bentley Gehle & Dexter Ruck, a brother, Larry (Karen) Kruse, New Knoxville, and a sister, Carol Paul, new Bremen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Kenneth Paul. Ron was a 1971 graduate of New Knoxville High School, and a 1975 graduate of Bowling Green State University. He retired in 2005 as Branch President of Fifth Third Bank, New Knoxville. Ron was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Ohio State Buckeyes and Bowling Green State University Falcons. He never met a golf course that he didn’t enjoy. He never saw a grandkid who he didn’t try to make smile. He dedicated his life to coaching kids the fundamentals of basketball, which earned him over 300 wins and an honor from the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who were lucky enough to know and love him. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Sat. Nov. 2, 2019, at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, 1102 Lincoln Ave. (St. Rt. 501) Wapakoneta, with Pastor Dennis Gaertner officiating. Burial is to follow in the Pilger Rhue Cemetery, New Knoxville. The family will receive family and friends 2-8 p.m., Fri., and 1 hour prior to the service, Sat. at the funeral Home. Memorial may be directed to the American Diabetes Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.