John T.

Kromer

John T. Kromer, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN.

John was born on June 23, 1939 in Fostoria, OH to the late Virgil Kromer and Dora (Volkmer) Kromer-Madden. John proudly served his country in the United States Navy. On December 29, 1962 he married Veronica Santo, who survives. John served as an administrator, teacher, principal, and superintendent at Bardstown Vocational School in Bardstown, KY for 30 years before his retirement. He was member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Hicksvile, OH. John was the formation director for the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY, where he was also an ordained deacon.  Through there, he spent time working with refugees. He was a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Hicksvile, OH and a member of the Paulding County Carnegie Library Board. John was also a skilled master carpenter and blacksmith. He used those skills to build his own sailboat as well as carriages for the Kentucky Horse Park.

Along with his loving wife, Veronica, John will be sadly missed by his children: John (Lois) Kromer, Jr., Magnolia, KY; Richard (Angie) Kromer, Louisville, KY; Elizabeth (Jeff) Schmidt, Columbus, OH; sisters, Carole (Dr. John) Herburger, Lakewood, OH; Karen Alexander; 7 grandchildren: Holly, Ruth Anne, Callie, Emily, Walton, Seth, and David.

John was also preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Anne Kaufman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 23, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Hicksville, OH.  Burial will take place at a later date in Paulding Memorial Cemetery, Paulding, OH.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Hicksville with a wake service held at 6:30 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to Catholic charities, Salesian Missions, or to St. Michael Catholic Church.