John D. Kruse

John D. Kruse, 70, of Rockford, Illinois passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025 at home after a five-year battle with colorectal cancer.

John was born April 19, 1955 in Manistee, Michigan, the son of David and Thelma (Lundbom) Kruse. He married Teresa L. Watson in 1982 in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.

John graduated from Manistee High School and Michigan Technological University. He spent his entire career as an electrical engineer working for Commonwealth Edison. During that time, he worked at many locations in northern Illinois—including the Byron nuclear plant and offices in downtown Chicago and Rockford—helping to “keep the lights on,” as he liked to say. He retired in 2009 after over 30 years.

John had a lifelong interest in aviation and enjoyed taking pictures of the many planes at all of the air shows he went to. He attended the EAA convention in Oshkosh nearly every year from the 1980s onward, including camping there for the entire week in later years. He was always reading and had a vast knowledge of airplanes and many other subjects. He loved doing anything outdoors: biking, golfing, boating, walking, cross-country skiing—even yard work. He could figure out how to build or repair almost anything.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa; two daughters, Lisa (Christopher) Heggen and Michelle Kruse; and one grandson, Henry. Also surviving are his sister Susan (Thomas) Welsh and brother Steven (Fiorella Spalvieri) Kruse; 10 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; 10 nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by both parents.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, Rockford, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church, Rockford, with a visitation one hour prior at the church.

 A Mass for John will also be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Guardian Angels Church, Manistee, Michigan, with visitation one hour prior at the church. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to UW Colon Cancer Research at supportuw.org/give or mail a check made out to: UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Be sure to use fund number 112901425 for either method.

The family would like to thank all of the UW Health staff both in Madison and Rockford who cared for him during his years of treatment.