Alvin A. Krueckeberg

Alvin A. Krueckeberg, 91, of Decatur, Indiana passed away on August 21, 2019 at Adams Heritage in Monroeville.

He was born on June 10, 1928 in Decatur, Indiana to the late Edwin Krueckeberg and the late Marie (Selking) Krueckeberg. He married Esther L. Schumm on June 10, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm.

He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Decatur. He was also a member of Sons of the American Legion Post #43 in Decatur. Alvin loved tractors, especially Internationals. He collected tractors, restored tractors, and spent time at many tractor shows and tractor pulls. He was a member of Wheels of Yesteryear in Bluffton; Maumee Valley Antique Steam Gas & Association in New Haven; Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association in Portland; and Old Fashioned Farmers Association in Van Wert, Ohio.

Alvin was a lifelong farmer and was also the owner and operator of State Line Bulldozing from 1957 to 1980 and State Line Trucking from 1981 to 1995. During his years in the bulldozing business, Alvin built many farm ponds in Adams, Allen, Wells, Van Wert and Mercer counties.

Alvin was a natural, self-taught mechanic who enjoyed the challenge of locating, repairing, restoring, and collecting old equipment including bulldozers and farm tractors. He would love to share his knowledge with anyone that inquired about tractors or bulldozers. Alvin enjoyed hunting with friends out in Wyoming.

Survivors include his wife, Esther Krueckeberg of Decatur; four daughters, Sharon (David) Tester of Decatur, Susan (Ron) Ballard of Decatur, Carol (Dennis) Bentz of Decatur, and Deborah (Tom) Wells of Ohio City, OH; seven grandchildren, Matthew August Tester, Stephen (Trisha) Tester, Michael Tester (fiancée, Dr. Dayna Ridderman), Grace (Steven) Phan, Dr. Tiffany Ballard (Dr. Rajesh Rao), Tabitha Wells, & Trevor Wells; six great-grandchildren, Ryan Tester, Lauryn Tester, Gabrielle Phan, Vivienne Phan, Lakshmi Rao, & Arjun August Rao.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Julia Lehrman & Marcile Schultz and brothers, Louis & Edwin Jr. Krueckeberg.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2019 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Decatur with Pastor David Koeneman officiating. Burial will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 12 noon -4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home- Decatur and one hour prior services Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Decatur.

Preferred memorials can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School.