Stephen Kramerich

Stephen Nicholas Kramerich, 89, of Bucyrus, KS, passed away on July 19, 2011. He was born in Lebanon, PA, and had lived in the Kansas City area these past 40 years.

He is survived by his wife Margaret (DePont) Kramerich of 61 years, daughter Celeste Cucar (Lee) of Olathe, KS, daughter Colette Morrissey (Jack) of Lenexa, KS,son Nicholas Kramerich of Bucyrus, KS and son Eric Kramerich of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by three sisters, Deana Shaub, Dorothy Kramarich, Debbie Kramarich And sister-in-law Kathleen Kramarich of Steelton, PA.In addition, he leaves behind 5 grandchildren;Dominic Cucar, Damian Cucar, Danielle Neal (Robert), Hank Morrissey, Jake Morrissey, and one great-grandchild, Aidan Neal.

A World War II veteran, he was a survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March, and held captive by the Japanese for three and a half years. He was in the Army Signal Corps for 14 years and had retired as an electronics technician with the FAA.

He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. He was also a member of the Ex-POW's, The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also involved in the Belgian-American Club, The Christian Foundation for Aging, The Don Lipovac Booster Club and the Croation Relief Society.

Stephen's hobbies included gardening, making apple juice from his orchard, and honey from his bee hives. He also enjoyed reading, dancing, spending time with his family and friends, and attending Adoration weekly.

Visitation will be 6-8PM at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Blackbob Road., Olathe, KS. Rosary will be at 4:30 PM at the funeral home. A private funeral Mass will be celebrated for Stephen. Interment will be at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Wea, KS.