Joseph Krauter, Jr.

On November 30, 2015, our beloved "Opa" reached out for the hand of God and left this earth and his large loving family for his place in eternity. He was born on July 28, 1929, in Milford, Indiana. He had a typically American Gothic childhood growing up on a farm in northern Indiana, the youngest and only boy of seven children. Born to Joseph Krauter and Jeanetti Darkwood Krauter, he is survived by his 92 year old honky-tonk piano playing sister, Jean. Preceding him in death were sisters Gladys, Bernice, Frances, Helen and Genevieve. They leave behind many nieces, nephews and cousins by the dozens who will miss their beloved Uncle Joe. Growing up in Kosciusko County, IN, he played basketball and was the star center of the Sidney High School basketball team, graduating in 1947. During this time, he also played the clarinet and was a member of The Sentimental Seven dance band. He subsequently attended and graduated from the Logansport Business School. After working for the Sidney Elevator Company several summers, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 1950. In December 1951, he was shipped overseas and stationed at Rhein/Main AFB, Frankfurt, Germany.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anneliese Lee (Wiegand) Krauter. They met in the little Bavarian village of Attenkirchen after being introduced by an Air Force buddy, Fred Wiegand, whose parents and sister just happened to live in Germany in a rural area just north of Munich, close to where Freddy was stationed at a radar sight. Joe accepted an invitation to come for a weekend and meet the family and on March 8, 1952, Joe and Lee met. In an instant it was love at first sight. The courtship began and they were married by the local Buergermeister (Mayor) 4 months later: July 5, 1952.

Joe served out his tour of duty, rotated and was honorably discharged 26 Nov 53. He took his bride back home to Indiana to meet his family. Joe worked for the F.S. Royster Guano Co., Lyon Metal Products Inc., and partnered in A/C Shelving and Locker Co., before starting his own business in the basement of their home in 1964. Krauter Equipment Company was born as were four sons. Joe is survived by J. Christian (M.J.), Erick A. (Haleh), Kurt O. (Risa) and Karl F. (Michelle), 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Grands: Sam (Lyndsay), Anna, Raphael, Emily, Elle, Devin, Nickolas, Casey (Lauren), Nicole (Dominic), Kelly, Kevin, Katie, Courtney, Michael, Chase, Ashton, Elia. Greats: Jude and Miriam. (On the third day after Joes death, Miriam was born.)

Joe belonged to the Columbia Club (32 yrs), the American Legion (53 yrs), the Indiana German Heritage Society, First Trinity Lutheran Church and Carmel Lutheran Church. His entire life was dedicated to his family and his business family. He provided for all of them. Loving, caring, husband, father, brother, uncle and true friend he had it all covered. He was one of a kind. Loved so much, missed even more.

Visitation will be 4:00-8:00pm Friday, December 11 and 10:00-11:00am Saturday, December 12 at Carmel Lutheran Church, 4850 E. 131st Street, Carmel, IN. A Memorial service will begin at 11:00am-12:00noon. You are invited to stay for lunch. A graveside service with military honors will take place at Washington Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Building/Fund Carmel Lutheran Church, Lutherwood (The Foundation for Lutheran Child and Family Services), The Wheeler Mission or Shriners Hospital for Children.

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