John Jacob Kroon

FAYETTE, Mo. — John Jacob Kroon, 82, of Fayette, Mo., died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at Fayette Caring Center.

He was born Sept. 14, 1926, in Mt. Clemens, Mich., to John L. and Lavinia M. Hagan Kroon. On Oct. 26, 1946, he married Virginia Mary Ballor and she preceded him in death on June 20, 2002. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, John Kroon; and a brother, James Kroon.

Mr. Kroon was valedictorian of his 1944 graduating class at St. Mary’s High School in Mt. Clemens and was a United States Navy veteran. John was employed for more than 30 years with Kennametal Corporation, retiring in Roanoke Rapids.

Survivors include his children, Paula Ireland of Ferndale, Mich., Mark Kroon of Eugene, Ore., James Kroon of Columbia, Mo., Joel Kroon of Atlanta and Jeffrey Kroon of Ferndale; three brothers, Dr. Joseph Kroon of Mt. Clemens, Dr. Francis Kroon of South Dakota and Gerald Kroon of Texas; 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Carr-Yager Funeral Home, 204 N. Linn Ave., Fayette MO, 660-248-2244, which is handling the arrangements. Burial will follow in Faytte City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.