Lieutenant Commander Richard Wayne Kruger
Rolesville
Surrounded by the love of family, Lieutenant Commander Richard Wayne Kruger, USN, Ret., of Rolesville, North Carolina peacefully passed away on October 2, 2023 at home after a long battle with cancer.
Richard was born as the second of five children to Albert and Lydia Kruger on November 17, 1933 in Springfield, Illinois. He was baptized at home the same day. Born prematurely, Richard had a quiet, determined strength from the very beginning. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church (1946), through which he competed in church basketball leagues. Having skipped a grade, Richard went off to college at just 17 years old but left a year later to commit his life to serving his country. On February 13, 1952, at 18 years old, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy.
Richard and the love of his life, Elaine Ruth Schnake, began dating after meeting at a church youth picnic. Richard and Elaine were married in December 1955 at her home church of St. Peter’s Lutheran in St. Peter, Illinois. Together, they led a life of loyalty and love. Richard was the proud father of five children; with them, he enjoyed sharing his love for his Lutheran faith, for large bowls of vanilla ice cream, and for music, especially the banjo. Later in life, Richard enjoyed becoming a father-in-law to four, a grandfather to eight, and a grandfather-in-law to five.
Richard’s military career spanned over 23 years as a leader in communications engineering. His naval service took Richard and Elaine to Hawaii, and their growing brood to Tennessee, Indiana, California, and Maryland. They eventually settled in Neptune Beach, Florida where he was stationed at Naval Station Mayport in the ‘70s. Richard was selected to attend the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) at Purdue University, from which he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1962. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, often deploying for months at a time on naval vessels. Richard rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and received the following medals: Navy Achievement with Combat V; Navy Good Conduct (4 times); National Defense Service Medal (2 times); Vietnam Service (4 times); Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Campaign; and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. Highly decorated, Richard retired from military service on September 1, 1975.
Richard was a good and faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. At Bethlehem, all the Kruger children were confirmed, both Kruger daughters were married, and many Kruger grandchildren were baptized. Later, after a move to North Carolina, Richard and Elaine were active at Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest. Richard especially loved the gospel according to John; his favorite bible verse was John 3:16.
Richard had a love of activities and games, especially ones that required intellect and discipline. A favorite was golf. Richard engineered his own golf clubs from the absolute best components and successfully “lived to golf his age” – a goal he achieved many times over. Richard loved to garden. He nurtured many citrus trees – grapefruits were his specialty – and was known to pull over to the side of the road when he spotted wild blackberries. Richard was also an avid ping-pong player and bowler. He bowled perfect 300s and taught all his children and grandchildren to throw a strike. The Kruger household was often filled with games of pinochle. Richard and Elaine held a weekly game with their local daughter and son-in-law. When Richard’s lineage (which numbered nearly 25 people in Richard’s later years) were in town for holidays, two or three pinochle games might be going all at once.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lydia Kruger. He leaves behind his brothers, Joseph Kruger and Daniel Kruger both of Altamont, Illinois, and sisters, Patricia Wetzel (Edwin) of Mattoon, Illinois, and Judith Pries of St. John, Virgin Islands. He leaves behind his devoted wife of nearly 67 years, Elaine Schnake Kruger, of Rolesville, North Carolina, and his five loving children – Brian Kruger, Esq. (Kim Cook) of Gainesville, Florida; Kerry Kruger of Rolesville, North Carolina; Randy Kruger (Sharon) of Winter Garden, Florida; Dawn Kruger Schudy (Kelley) of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Christy Kruger Hobbs (Brad) of Central, South Carolina. He leaves behind eight adoring grandchildren – Casey Che (née Hobbs; Danny) of New York, New York; Amanda Jane Quigley (née Hobbs; Alan) of Atlanta, Georgia; Hannah Beth Kruger of Denver, Colorado; Dr. Colin Kruger (Jena) of Jacksonville, Florida; Haley King (née Kruger; Kyle) of Winter Garden, Florida; Grant Schudy of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jack Kruger of Gainesville, Florida; and Kate Johnson (née Schudy; Jake) of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Richard will be forever in the hearts of his family.
Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2023 at Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rodgers Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 or to the American Cancer Society. (donate.cancer.org)
Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-7400)
www.cswfuneralhome.com
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Sarah (Sally) Sallade Graves
Wake Forest
Sarah (Sally) Sallade Graves, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from this life to the next on Wednesday, October 4th at Hillside Retirement Community in Wake Forest, North Carolina surrounded by her children. Born in Birmingham, Alabama to Clarence Dudley Sallade and Helen Meek Sallade, Mrs. Graves was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Charles (Charlie) Graves and sister, Nancy Raines. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Dudley (Janet) Graves, Ellen (Mike) McGuffey, Dick (Ginger) Graves, and Mary Beth (Johnny) Musick; twelve grandchildren, Brad (Julie) McGuffey, Kara (Chris) Miller, Scott (Kristie) Graves, Mitch (Amanda) McGuffey, Crystal (Stephen) McWilliams, Monika (Matthias) Rosbrugh, Shelley (Justin) Sizemore, Carla (Logan) Douglas, Betsy Graves, Lindsay (Mathew) Siniard, Charlie (Katheryn) Graves, and Evan (Emily) Musick; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and two sisters Cindy Carroll and Linda Huey.
Mrs. Graves was a lifelong educator and a woman of deep Christian faith. She was beloved by members of her faith communities, Berney Points Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama and Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship in Youngsville, North Carolina. She was known for her kind and graceful demeanor, her quick wit, and her full-body laugh. She held a Bachelors of Arts in Education from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in Education from University of Alabama-Birmingham and worked as a school teacher for a majority of her life. After retiring she continued to use her training as an educator to teach her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was motivated by being in service to others, and filled much of her time with volunteer work, she was particularly devoted to the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama and English as a Second Language tutoring. She will be deeply missed for her devotion to family, friends, and Auburn football.
Mrs. Graves’ family invites others to join them in celebrating a life well lived. She will be buried in Birmingham, Alabama next to her husband, Charlie Graves on Monday, October 9th at Forest Hill Cemetery. The visitation (10am) and service (11am) will be at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel in Birmingham, Alabama. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 15th at 3pm at Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship in Youngsville, NC.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Grace Haven Baptist Fellowship, P.O.B. 1432, Wake Forest, NC 27588
A Service of Bright Funeral Home and Cremation Center (919-556-5811)
www.brightfunerals.com
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Younge Enhart ‘Ernie’ Sherrell
Wake Forest
Younge Enhart “Ernie” Sherrell, 77, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Ernie graduated from J. F. Webb High School in Oxford, NC and Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh, NC. After graduating he worked for the State of North Carolina in the SIPS Department for 30 years before retiring. He then went on to work for the North Carolina General Assembly as a Sergeant of Arms, and was on the Board of Directors for the Wake Forest Fire Department.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Vivian Sherrell; sons, Younge (Cindy), Patrick (Erika); daughter, Monica (Derek) Ford; grandchildren, Peyton and Greyson Sherrell, Emily, Dylan and Ashlea Ford; and his companion cat, Oscar.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Promedica Hospice and Melanie Marks for being his caregivers this past year.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 11-12 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A memorial service will follow at 12 PM on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Boyd Jackson officiating.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral home is serving the Sherrell family.
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Donald Everette Field
Wake Forest
The world has lost a beautiful soul who loved to bring laughter to everyone he met.
Donald E. Field, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 in his home in Wake Forest, NC in the presence of his children.
Don was born on July 22nd 1932 in Morrisville, NY to William E. and Olwen J. Field- the only boy of 5 children.
He graduated from Morrisville High School in 1950. Shortly after graduation he shocked his family by sneaking off to join the Marines. He did not want anyone to talk him out of his decision, so he hitchhiked to Syracuse, NY to enlist. Don served his country proudly as a Marine in the Korean War. He was a member of the First Reconnaissance Company from 1951-1954 and was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and a bronze star.
Upon his return to the states he desired to attend Cornell University for Agriculture, but needed more Math credits before admittance. He went back to Morrisville High School to complete this goal and met Mary Babcock.
Don and Mary married in 1955 and he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. Don and Mary had 5 children together, all raised in Mexico, NY.
He worked at the Farm Credit Bureau in Mexico, NY for many years before landing a position at Oswego County BOCES as an Internship Career Coordinator. He was known to search high and low to find the best internships for his students. He was a force of life devoted to guiding his students towards a successful and fulfilling life. Don dedicated over 30 years to his students.
Don loved to laugh and was never lacking for jokes. Those who knew him will understand “comfortable”, “thought you were returning my wife” and “Don’t take any wooden nickels.” He was also a devoted servant of God, dedicated to the Baha’i Faith for over 60 years. His life embodied the Baha’i Faith and its message of unconditional love towards all mankind.
He married Shirley Bartlett in the Fall of 1982, who had 4 children of her own. They moved to Mooresville, NC in 2008, where Shirl continues to reside.
Don had an insatiable love for chocolate, ice cream and anything sweet, but since he ran 11 marathons throughout his life it was all well deserved. He was also known to stop complete strangers on the street saying “ have you heard the one about…”. His laughter was contagious and he could make friends in an instant.
Don was the oldest living Field, predeceased by his parents, siblings, many cousins, his first wife, Mary, and his step-son, David Bartlett.
He is survived by his children: William Scott (Joan) Field, Beth (Phil) Staiano, Cheryl (Dave) Schneider, Lisa (Brian) Twiss and Janine (Derek)Smithers, as well as his wife, Shirl Field and step-children: Shawn Bartlett, Cynthia Bartlett and Jennifer (Brett) Battes. Don also has 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren- all of whom are his pride and joy.
His burial is scheduled for October 6th, 2023 at 2 pm at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a future date.
Any donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association.
Bright Funeral Home is caring for the Field Family.
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Paul David Parrish
Franklinton
Paul David Parrish, 85, of Franklinton, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Transitions Life Care in Raleigh.
Mr. Parrish is the Son of the late Lola Belvin and George David Parrish
He is survived by his son, Tim (Cindy) Parrish; Daughters, Sherri (John) Park, Kim (Glenn) Harwood; 6 Grandchildren; 5 Great Grandchildren, as well as 1 Great Grandchild on the way.
Paul is preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen L. Parrish.
A graveside memorial service will be held 11 A.M. Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Youngsville Town Cemetery 482 S College St Youngsville, NC 27596 with the Rev. Joe Chandler Officiating.
A Service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center (919-556-5811)
www.brightfunerals.com
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