GREENWOOD
Frederick W. Kraiger, 93, of Greenwood, passed away August 29, 2017, at Greenwood Meadows Senior Care.
He was born October 30, 1923 in Dunkirk, New York and was an 89-year resident of the Dunkirk-Fredonia area.
He was the son of the late Harry and Martha (Israel) Kraiger.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gloria (Shepard) Kraiger of Greenwood; two daughters, Pamela K. Eades (Dennis) of Greenwood, Kyle M. Johnson (David) of Greenwood, a son, Frederick T. (Robin) Kraiger of Greenwood; six grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was a World War II veteran, serving with the United States Army Air Corps in the China, Burma, India Asiatic-Pacific Theater. After the war, he continued serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he became a member of the elite Mach Buster’s Club in a F-101 “voodoo” jet fighter aircraft and retired as a master sergeant.
In 2014, he traveled to Wasington, D.C. with the Indy Honor Flight to see the memorial dedicated to the World War II veterans.
He also retired as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
His passion was flying. He learned to fly after the war and progressed to earn nearly every rating available. He was a flight instructor for over 40 years.
He also served as the Civil Air Patrol commander in Dunkirk, New York.
He was a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Dunkirk, New York, for 93 years; a 71-year member of the American Legion; and member of the Dunkirk-Irondequoit Masonic Lodge No. 301 in Fredonia, New York.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017 at G. H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home at The Gardens at Olive Branch, 1605 S. State Road 135, Greenwood. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in Fredonia, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 252 Meadow Drive, Suite 6, Danville, IN 46122; or St. John’s United Church of Christ, 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com.
