Clarence A. 'Bud' Cromer

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Clarence A. "Bud" Cromer, 87, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

He was born in Gettysburg, Pa., the son of Clarence F. and Nelle R. Cromer. In 1946, he married Bernice E. Calkins, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 17, 1998. He retired from IBM in 1985 after 44 years of service, 28 years in management.

He was a Navy veteran, having served in World War II and the Korean conflict. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1550 and a member of American Legion Post 58.

He was an avid sports fan and participant and a loyal New York Yankees fan for nearly 70 years. He helped to organize Little League Baseball and slow-pitch softball in Greencastle. He also helped to organize the IBM Retirees Organization (IRO), the City Volleyball League and the Thursday Golf Tour.

He organized the Greencastle Astronomy Club (no longer active) and was active in bowling and golf for over 60 years.

He was an officer at the local, district and state level of the American Heart Association for 10 years and served one term as chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals in Greencastle. He was a member of Gobin United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a son, William A. and wife Bonnie Cromer of Chesterton; a daughter, Elizabeth Herman of Winter Park, Fla.; a granddaughter, Stacey and husband John Korba and two great-grandsons, Nicholas and Adam of Portage; three stepgrandchildren, Laurie and husband Richard Cowsert of Chesterton, Brad and wife Patti Decker of Chesterton and Greg and wife Regina Decker of Indianapolis; five stepgreat-grandchildren; sister Elsa Winkler; and two nephews Jeffrey and Paul and a stepmother Jean Cromer all from Pennsylvania.

Viewing will be at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday with services Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, with military honors.