John Kroeger

John Douglas Kroeger, 88, of Serena, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center. Doug was born April 4, 1923, in Louisville, Kentucky, to August and Leota (Saunders) Kroeger. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (nee Zachar), who he married on October 28, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada; one daughter, Pegg (Bill) Knapp; three sons, Scott (Clare) Kroeger, Will (Linda) Kroeger and Paul ( Cindy) Kroeger; and four stepchildren, Dorette (Steve) Kellogg, Bill (Pegg) Unger, Doreen (Bob) Johnson and Wayne (Tina) Unger; fifteen grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Doug was preceded in death by his first wife, Gwendolyn (Macie) Kroeger. Doug served in the Pacific theater during World War II in the US Army Air Corps and worked for Boeing in the space program for 30 years. He was a Mason, joining Air Force One Lodge No. 889 in 1951, and a Shriner since 1962. Doug's avocation was providing fun and entertainment to all as Happy the Clown. Doug's life will be celebrated by a family gathering. Memorials may be directed to Serena Volunteer Fire Department.