Russell John Kruchten's Obituary
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Russell John Kruchten, a proud veteran of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, died peacefully on June 3, 2023.
The son of Alfred Nicholas and Lola Faulhaber Kruchten, Russell grew up in Chicago, Illinois where he was born on June 28, 1933. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in architecture as well as a civil engineering degree from Bradley University, and master’s degrees from George Washington University and George Mason University. After graduation Russell went on to serve his country in the Army for twenty years where he did several tours in Vietnam as a combat engineer and received numerous medals of honor including the Bronze Star and 2 purple hearts before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1977.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas Kruchten. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Martha (Marti) McDonald Kruchten; his children Russell Lance Kruchten (Jennifer), Kelli Kruchten Baliker (Ken), and Mark Murray Kruchten (Susan); seven grandchildren Caroline Bonadelle (John), Grace Booth (Jacob), Lida Ewald (Jess), Blake Kruchten, John Mitchell Kruchten, Andrew Kruchten, and Bennett Kruchten; and two great grandchildren Elise Bonadelle and Amelia Booth.
A service honoring the life of Russell will be held Saturday June 10, 2023, at 11:00 am at Memorial Park Funeral home with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
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