Date of Death: February 27, 2026
Service Details
His family will receive friends Friday, March 6, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, and Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Clint Cozier officiating. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. Military honors will be performed under the auspices of American Legion Post #170.
Obituary Notice
John Ruehl Kruse, 89, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord Friday, February 27, 2026 at Optalis Health & Rehabilitation surrounded by his loving family.
Born April 28, 1936 in Mason, MI to Ruehl and Helen (Rugg) Kruse, John developed a love for woodworking as his dad worked in the lumber company around the block from their house. Just before his senior year of high school, the lumber company closed, resulting in a family move to Litchfield where his dad partnered in the purchase of a lumberyard.
Between a motorcycle accident and a lack of interest in permanent lumberyard work, John joined the Navy. He served in the Mediterranean Sea, where his vivid memories include switching ships through high-line transfer and praying he would not fall into the waters below, and traveling through the Suez Canal below deck while the ship was being shot at from the land. Many years later, he was honored to be chosen to be on the Talons Out Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2018.
Upon his return from basic training, a friend suggested the names of several eligible young ladies for him to date, and he phoned Verna Woodliff, who initially had conducted his new student interview for the Litchfield High School newspaper, “Terrier’s Bark.” They dated two weekends before his deployment; he requested she write him while he was away and she replied that he’d have to write first so she had the address. Thus began the authoring of their lifelong love story, which included marriage on November 2, 1957.
John availed himself of the GI Bill to earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree at Western Michigan University, and in 1963 moved to Three Rivers to take a job as a woodshop teacher and stage manager. He loved teaching and spent 30 years doing so in fields that also included drafting, building trades, metal shop, and driver’s education.
In his retirement years, he and Verna led Good Sam tours to the East Coast, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Bar Harbor, Maine.
John enjoyed playing Santa Claus for different companies and for Christmas Around Town, riding in on a Three Rivers fire truck for photo opportunities downtown. He also portrayed Donald Duck for the Civitan Club, promoting its duck races at the Three Rivers Water Festival. He was involved with Habitat for Humanity and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, where he sang in the choir. Woodworking was his hobby and passion.
He loved his family deeply and often communicated that through laughter – frequently having a good joke or a bad dad joke on hand. He was a great friend, a conversationalist, and inspired many to pursue careers in the building trades.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Verna Kruse; three daughters, Pam (Brian Davies) Malinoski, Lynn (Randy) Page, and Julie Kruse; grandchildren, Alison (Chad) Smeltzer, Ryan (Lisa) Malinoski, Holly (Travis) Trapp, Sara (Anthony) Miller, Rebecca Lorenz (Matt Pudlo), Declan Hayes, Rachel (Terry) Adams, Jason Page, and Matt (Brittani) Page; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, Stephen John Kruse, and two sisters, Jennie Clark and Jean Jones.
Additional Information
Donations in John’s memory may be directed to Talons Out Honor Flight, First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, or Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Michigan. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Mr. Kruse was a great teacher. Fun, knowledgeable, and easy going. I had him for woodshop and he taught me to drive. RIP sir. You made a difference.
I remember Mr Cruise from 7th grade wood shop. He was quick to point out that he had been working with power tools for years and “still had all 10” fingers. Also his dad could calculate board feet in his sleep. Great guy.
Mr. Kruse was one of the best teachers, ever. I’m glad that we had to take “shop” in junior high. It’s not something I would have chosen as an elective. Turned out to be one of my favorite classes. My mom still has the cutting board I made. I remember how meticulous he was about teaching us to make something of quality. It still holds up over 40 years later. Thank you, Mr. Kruse. I hope you’re enjoying getting to know that great carpenter in the sky.
Sad to hear of John’s passing always enjoyed visiting with him over the years. John was definitely one of the good guys. He will be missed!
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. We remember John as the best Santa (along with Mrs Claus) and the funniest Donald Duck, as well as a wonderful teacher and community member. Love to you, Verna, and Pam, Lynn, Julie and other family members. Julie & Allen Beal
To the family of john … my deepest condolences. I’m saddened to hear hes passed. Very nice man.He was my wood shop teacher at the middle school. Seems like i made a birdhouse? Anyway loved woodshop, great teacher!
So sorry. It was a pleasure to work with him.
Our prayers are with you Verna & the family. We’ve known you both for many years. I(Mel) worked with John at the old high school until he retired. If I had a bad day, he always had me look at the good side. I sang with him in Make We Merry for years, he had a great voice. John had a great sense of humor, always turned bad things into good things. Always making jokes at school & he was well known for his Donald Duck voice. Made the kids laugh! He will be greatly missed by all. He’s with his Lord now & at peace.
John was one of my favorite teachers many loved his many great stories and jokes. His navy stories are one of the reason I chose to serve in the military. This community will miss him immensely.
One of the best teachers I had at TRHS taught me a lot about building and woodworking in general..RIP old friend.
My thoughts are with you and your girls, Verna. You and John were the best neighbors in the history of ever. We always loved our visits with you both and seeing what projects John was working on at the time. Keeping you all close in prayer as you cherish your memories of him in the days and weeks to come.