Stanley Kruckeberg, 76, of Fort Wayne, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026. He was born July 17, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to the late Christian "Bud" and Laverne "Dutchie" (Oetting) Kruckeberg.

Stan attended Bethlehem Lutheran School and graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School. He went on to earn a degree in Forestry from Purdue University. Shortly after, he volunteered for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving honorably from 1971 to 1973. Following his military service, he returned to school for Industrial Maintenance Technology, leading to a long career as an HVAC Technician. He specialized in ammonia refrigeration at Kraft Foods in Kendallville, Indiana for over 20 years.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Stan was known for his precision; if he did something, he did it right. This was best evidenced just two years ago when he built his own garage from the ground up. He was a patient mentor, always willing to lend a hand while teaching others the skills he had mastered. He found his greatest peace in the early morning stillness of the forest and cherished his time on the water, especially at Honey Lake.

Stan's family will remember him as a brilliant, humble, and kind man who excelled in everything he touched. He loved his parents and siblings deeply. As a grandfather, he was legendary—sharing memories by the fire at Honey Lake and patiently re-worming hook after hook for his grandkids while fishing. His grandson, Landon, considered Stan his best friend. His warmth extended beyond his biological family, as many of his children's friends looked to him as a second father.

Stan is survived by his wife, Lila; children, Cass (Lori) Kruckeberg, Jacob Kruckeberg, Weston (Sarah) Kruckeberg, and Hallie Kruckeberg; grandchildren, Brandon (Steph), Preston, Avrey, Owen, Ian, Landon (Lexy), and Leanna; and great-grandchildren, Payton, Elsie, and Cole. He is also survived by his brothers, Tim (Macy) Kruckeberg and Steve Kruckeberg; and his sister, Chris (Mark) Schiess.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Matthew Kruckeberg; sister-in-law, Sherry Kruckeberg; and son-in-law, James Lestarge Jr.

Service Information:

Visitation will be held Friday, January 30, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Covington Memorial Funeral Home, 8408 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm with burial to follow in Covington Memorial Gardens.