JOHN C. "JOHNNY" KRUSE

Dec. 29, 1968 - May 3, 2012 SOUTH BEND - Johnny Kruse, 43, residing in South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully at 8:16 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2012, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 29, 1968, in South Bend, IN, to John T. and Mary (Cummins) Kruse.

Johnny is survived by his fiancée, the love of his life, Cindy Teska; daughter, Autumn "Autie"; his father, John T. (Gloria) Kruse of South Bend; his mother, Mary (Steve Spiek) Kruse of South Bend; sister, Jennifer (Scott) Kelley of Mishawaka, and their children, Tyler and Mary; stepsister, Kristin Keller of Mishawka; and his favorite uncle and aunt, Paul and Pat Cummins of Ft. Wayne, and their daughters, Paula and Penny.

Grandparents, Hugh and Mildred Cummins and Charles and Dortha Kruse, and two uncles, Fred Kruse and Gary Nevius, all preceded him in death.

Johnny attended John Adams High School, South Bend. He graduated from Job Corps in Kansas City, where he earned his Mechanical and Building Maintenance degree. His passion was working on cars, and riding and working on his Harley. He never met a stranger and always tried to help his family and friends. Johnny will be greatly missed by his entire extended family.

A very special thank you to Dr. Gabriel Palley and to the I.C.U. staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Vickie Fireline will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 p.m. until time of services Tuesday in the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Johnny may be made to the Diabetes Association, 6910 N. Main Street, Bldg. 9, Mail Unit 10, Granger, IN 46530. Online condolences may be sent to the Kruse family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Your loved one has passed, but will never leave your heart and memories.