Harry John Cramer

Harry John Cramer age 92, of Holgate, died Wednesday morning at Vancrest Healthcare Center of Holgate.

His Legacy… He was born February 2, 1923 to Harry and Mary (Bauman) Cramer in Holgate. John graduated from Holgate High School in 1942.  He played baseball and basketball and was on the 1940 and 1941 State Basketball Tournament teams.  He enlisted with the United States Army Air Corp. during WWII.  He was stationed in Italy where he serviced B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers.  After he was discharged, John married Loretta K. Fuhrhop on November 25, 1945 in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamler.  He was employed by Campbell Soup Company for 20 years, retiring in 1985.  He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holgate and taught Sunday school for 23 years and was active on the church council and past president.  John was a member of the Holgate American Legion and was on a bowling league.  In 1956 he joined the Holgate Volunteer Fire Department.  He was the assistant chief from 1963 until becoming the chief in 1977.  John retired as fire chief on March 1, 1981.  While he was with the fire department, he was active in the Henry County Fireman’s Association and was instrumental in establishing the Henry County Emergency Radio System and the county-wide Emergency Medical Services in 1975 and 1976.  John was the original EMT on the Holgate Fire Department.

His Family… He is survived by his loving family: wife, Loretta of 69 years; daughter, Marci Matthews, Defiance ; son Mark (Lynda) Cramer, Ridgeville Corners; grandchildren, Cyndi, Zac, Greg and Brewer; great grandson, Jaxson and a sister Barbara Jean Kestner, Hamler.  He was preceded in death by siblings Frances Cramer, Virginia Retcher, Mary Ellen Fuhrhop, Patsy Lou Schlosser, Norman and Donald and great grandson Braydon.

His Farewell Services… Friends and family will be received in the Zachrich Funeral Home, 114 William Street, Holgate on Friday from 2-8 pm and one hour before the church service.  A Firemen’s Last Call Service will be Friday evening at 7:30 pm.  The celebration of John’s life will be in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Holgate on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 11:00 am with Reverend Greg Olsen officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honor's accorded by the Holgate American Legion and New Bavaria VFW and AMVETS.  Contributions made in John’s memory are asked to be made to the St. Peter’s Day Care or the Northwest Ohio Alzheimer’s Association.