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
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Verna, Pam, Lynn, and Julie:
John and you all had a huge part in our family between babysitting, Santa, church, and later allowing me to rent next door. John was so helpful, caring, and funny which has not and will not be forgotten. Such a blessing to have known him. Sending my love
Jeff and I extend our sincere condolences and offer our prayers to your entire family upon the loss of such a dear man. John was a teacher at TRHS when we were in school. Then and always he was kind and friendly. He was supportive of us in our lives and careers in our years after high school. It was always good to see him at school supporting his grandchildren and out and about in our community. John’s gentle presence will be remembered always. Sending hugs.
Sally
I grew up in Litchfield next door to his parents -who were wonderful friends. Rest in peace John.
John and I became friends at Presbyterian church.
I was there regularly putting puzzles together during the mornings. John came in quite often.
He and I would usually have a casual conversation about anything and everything. It was always a pleasure. He shared a bit of history, that he had taken the wood shop teacher that I had Mr. Brown’s position in 1963.
Rest in Peace John
David L Bradford
Mr. Kruse was definitely one of my favorites. I had him in metal and in wood shop in middle school and later he was my drivers Ed instructor. I remember so many important life skills and philosophies from him. He was a good guy who treated everyone the same and used any excuse to break out his Donald duck. He’ll be missed.
Dear Verna and family. Sending love and hugs to all. Grateful to have connected with John and Verna at our annual LHS alumni banquets. Check out the recent post of John’s obituary on Litchfield Mi. alumni page on Facebook.
Art Miller taught with John at Three Rivers High School from 1966 until 1970 when Art, his wife, Dianne, and their 20 month old son moved to St. Clair Shores, MI. John was a good friend of Art’s. I remember John and his wife as very kind people. I’m sorry for the family’s loss. My prayers are with all who grieve.
Dianne Miller (Art’s wife)
Dearest Verna and family,
Jerry and I are so sad that our long time friend has passed. Verna, both you and John have been such an important part of our lives in many ways. John’s wonderful woodworking made beautiful things for our home. Of special importance was your years as Santa and Mrs.Claus! There has never been a better one for our children and grandchildren! Jerry and John had a wonderful time as Mickey and Donald! Our children grew up together, participating in many ways at the Presbyterian Church. Singing in the choir together was a blessing! Jerry and I were so pleased when you asked us to sing at your 50th wedding anniversary! So many good memories of a wonderful man! God Bless and keep you!
Love, Trudy
I enjoyed visiting with him although not very often. He was a great fellow, so sorry for the families loss.
Mr. Kruse was a genuinely kind person. One of my favorite teachers. God bless you, Mr Kruse.
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 an amazing teacher and was one of my favorites. He also taught me to drive…. May he rest in peace…
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
My sincere condolences are with you all during this difficult time, Lynn. Just last week I told the story, once again, about how you merely had to drive with Mr. Kruse after school as he pointed out the many houses, garages and outbuildings in the Three Rivers area that he built or or did some sort of wood work as a part of earning your drivers license. My favorite part was when attempting to hold the steering wheel at 10 and 2 and hand over hand I almost went over the curb on a turn. Mr. Kruse perked up and said, “whatever you have to do to get this car around the corner is fine with me”.
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.