Maynard August Krueger, Jr.

Maynard was born on July 16th, 1931, in Gary, IN to Maynard A. Krueger, Sr. and Alice Webber. He graduated from Emerson High School in Gary. Following graduation, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL as a pre-med student. In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Lee Kirkendorfer (Horace Mann High School), who, after 69 years of marriage, predeceased him in 2022. Maynard always referred to his wife, Joan, as the love of his life, missing her every day since her passing.

Maynard and his late wife, Joan, raised their family of three children in Merrillville, IN. His oldest son, Jeff Krueger, and his wife, Lana, live in Miami, FL; his son, Garry, and his wife, Carole, live in Valparaiso; and his daughter, Lori Schmidt, and her significant other, Brian Bell, live in Chesterton. Maynard is also survived by what he was most proud of, and most outspoken about, his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with two additional great-grandchildren who will be born later this year. Jeff’s four children include, Travis and his wife, Kelly (Chicago); Justin and his wife, Courtney, and their two children, Olivia (12) and Jackson (9) live in Cincinnati, OH; Adam and Katy Maynard live in Denver, CO; and Jeff’s youngest son, Taylor, lives in New York City. Maynard’s son, Garry and his wife, Carole, have two children, Lauren (Krueger) Reinhertz and her husband, Mike, live in Valparaiso with their two children, Luke (6) and Eve (3); and their son, Joel, and his fiancé, Maddie Pisanelli, live in Evanston. Lori (Krueger) Schmidt and her late husband, Kevin, have three children, Dr. Ryan Schmidt and his wife, Heather, (expecting in September) reside in Chesterton, daughter, Courtney (Schmidt) Kaptur, and her husband, Dustin, have one child, Madelyn Jo (2) with a second child due in July, live in Valparaiso, and Kyle Schmidt and his fiancé, Kristen Strand, live in Chesterton.

Papa, as he became to be known, was truly a man of the highest caliber, integrity, talent and God-given intellect. Son, Jeff, always referred to him as the smartest man he has ever known. A natural born leader, he was always a positive and upbeat individual, never, at least outwardly, showing any sign of succumbing to stress, always shouldering life’s challenges with grace, dignity, and unrelenting stamina. He was most proud of his family, always willing to provide for and assist them in every way possible. His legacy of lifetime achievements is, upon reflection, staggering, including designing, drafting construction plans, and building several residences over the years, including a couple of his own in Merrillville and Shorewood Forest. He was selected by national organizations, including Popular Mechanics magazine, and the Masonite International Corporation (Owens Corning) to participate in the design and construction of various published projects. He served as President of Dalton Corporation, a Gary based HVAC and Sheet Metal contractor/fabricator. He served as President of the Northern Indiana Sheet Metal Contractors Association (NISMCA), and as a Board Member of the Better Business Bureau.

His civic contributions include being President of the Merrillville School Board (he liked noting he signed all three of his kids’ diplomas), President of the Merrillville Optimist Club, President of the Merrillville Little League, Manager of several Little League teams, and he was also a longtime member of the Gary Rotary Club.

Maynard had a gusto and infectious, positive spirit experienced by every life he touched. He and late wife, Joan, enjoyed spending the last several years in their “penthouse” at Story Point with the adopted family and friends who resided there with them. He was a genuinely and uniquely good, good man who improved the lives of those he knew. Always quick of wit and with a great sense of humor, he effortlessly made the world a happier place. Clearly our family is suffering from our devastating loss, recognizing that this earthly world shares in our loss as well. We take solace and rejoice knowing he is with his maker and family members and friends who have predeceased him, especially his loving wife, our Mom, and Gramma.

You had a great run, Dad, right up to the end of this life. Your impact on us all is immeasurable, and we will always be grateful for your love and contributions to our lives. With tears in our eyes, we say goodbye for now and wish that you rest in peace for a life well lived. We will always miss you and remember you with joy in our hearts, smiles on our faces and, yes, a tear in our eyes. We love you, Papa!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Dunes Hospice or Nativity of our Savior food pantry in memory of Maynard Krueger, 2949 Willowcreek Road, Portage, IN 46368.

A visitation for Maynard will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 12:30 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. He will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Krueger family.