Garry Dean Krutsinger, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in St. Peter, Ill., on Monday, March 30. He was surrounded by his children who cared for him after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Garry was born in Salem, Illinois, on May 5, 1946. He was the son of Harlas and Eileen (Martin)
Krutsinger. Garry married Pam Cutler in Dec. 1978 in Findlay, Ill. They had two children, a son, Neil, and a daughter, Kathryn (Katie), and they later divorced.
Garry was preceded in death by his mother, Eileen (1964), father, Harlas (2001), beloved stepmother, Sammie (2013), and sister, Dena Ruffin (2016).
Garry is survived by his son, Neil Krutsinger (Amy) of Vandalia and Katie Bundy (Ryan) and what he called his terrific three granddaughters, Alex, Claire, and Jillian of Iuka. He is survived by brothers, Norman (Cathy) of Kerrville, Texas and Russell (Phebe) of Flora, Illinois and nieces and nephews from Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois.
Garry grew up in Marion County and attended schools in Farina, Salem, and Kinmundy- Alma. was a member of the 1964 graduating class of Kinmundy -Alma High school. Garry graduated from Eastern Illinois University in May of 1969 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and began a 37-year career in public education teaching chemistry and biology in Findlay, Ill. During his teaching career, he spent summers working as a park ranger at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville, Ill. While living in Findlay, Garry continued his education at Eastern and achieved a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and in 1994, he and his family moved to Mulberry Grove, Ill., as Mulberry Grove High School Principal and later became Superintendent of Mulberry Grove School District. In 2002, Garry and his family moved to Vandalia, where he was Superintendent of Vandalia School District until he retired in 2006.
Garry enjoyed watching his granddaughters participate in school activities, volleyball, basketball, softball and band concerts. He also was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and any sport of University of Illinois.
When Garry began his teaching career in 1969, he met fellow teacher and coach, Bill Walters and his wife, Jeanie, of Kinmundy, Illinois. Garry treasured their time together and their friendship through the years.
Garry was a member of Kinmundy United Methodist Church and considered the congregation his extended family. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Pastors Carol and Mike Rudzinski for their visits and prayers.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday April 6, at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral home with Pastors Carol and Mike Rudzinski officiating. Burial will follow at Elder Cemetery, in rural Kinmundy, alongside his parents and stepmother. A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. till the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elder Cemetery or a charity of the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or Sutherland-Rankin Facebook page.
