Jason Thomas Kruckenberg

Jason Thomas Kruckenberg, 57, of Capron, IL passed away peacefully Monday, February 26, 2024.

Jason was born on March 8, 1966, in Harvard, IL, the son of George and Jeanette (Townsend) Kruckenberg. He graduated from Harvard High School, class of 1984, where his passion for playing football expanded and he was known for his outstanding success in band, contest choir, madrigals, swing choir and the school musicals. During high school Jason was selected to travel to Europe with the Chicago Youth Choral.  Throughout high school, Jason worked as a lifeguard at the Harvard Pool and with the city’s parks crew mowing and patching asphalt. For one year he attended Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI on a vocal and football scholarship. Jason started his over 38-year career with Dean Foods in 1985 where he proudly served on the Safety Committee for over two decades.  As an adult he continued to utilize his talent as a vocalist, singing at weddings, funerals, and with the Harvard Vagabonds.

On December 13, 1997, Jason married the love of his life Gayle Jones at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard, IL. The pair was blessed with two children Andrea and Jacob.

Jason was a youth sports coach for both his son and daughter. Jason also coached the Harvard High School softball and golf teams and later became an IHSA softball umpire. Prior to children he coached for Harvard Little League. He was passionate about sports and loved to play golf. Jason was an avid Chicago Bears fan his whole life. Jason loved hosting cookouts and socializing, bringing people together to enjoy good food. He was an amateur chef and even had a Facebook page (Kruck’s Kafe) dedicated to his culinary delights! Jason kept a tight inner circle of friends and relatives.  Jason loved to play cards and games with family and friends. He was a skilled woodworker and made marvelous benches, toy boxes and rocking chairs. Jason could tell a story like no other, and while his sense of humor cannot be rivaled, it is carried on by his survivors. Jason was a man of strong faith and served as an acolyte, usher, Sunday school teacher, midweek school teacher, and choir director at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He also served as Capron Village President. More than anything, Jason loved his family and treasured his time spent with loved ones.

Jason is survived by his wife Gayle Kruckenberg; daughter Andrea (Cody Heindl) Kruckenberg; son Jacob Kruckenberg; mother Jeanette Kruckenberg; brother Tyler (Stephanie) Kruckenberg; best friend and honorary family member Brian Rebhorn;  father and mother-in-law Ray and Patricia Jones; brothers-in-law Ray (Laura) Jones and Phillip (Amber) Jones; sister-in-law Jeannelle (Jim Hardyman) Jones; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father George Kruckenberg and sister Pamela Kruckenberg.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 2 until 6 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1601 Garfield Road, Harvard, IL 60033. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.

Call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home for more information at 815-943-5400.

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