Dale M. Kruthaupt, age 65 of St. Mary’s, Indiana, died Friday, March 31, 2017 at Margaret Mary Health. Born December 19, 1951 In Batesville, he is the son of Anna Mae (Nee: Nobbe) and Orville Kruthaupt Sr. He married Jackie Harlan January 13, 1973 at St. Mary’s of the Rock Church in St. Mary’s, Indiana and spent 42 years with the Batesville Casket Company as a press operator and tow motor operator before retiring in 2011. He was a member of St. Mary’s of the Rock Church, Holy Family Church, the Batesville Eagles Aerie #1130, the National Rifle Association and St. Mary’s of the Rock Preservation Group.
His family teased him about his quirks. Dale wouldn’t allow the kids to refer he or Jackie as “old man” or “old lady”, yet he often referred to Jackie as “old lady”. But then he also referred to Jackie and the kids as Martha and the Marthet’s. The kids remember Saturday as “dump day.” Whether he had a bag of garbage or a truck load, he’d load up the kids and haul it to the dump. They’d usually score a pop and a candy bar before going home. This tradition continued with the grandkids. Dale hated sports but loved blue grass music, fishing, getting the neighbor’s donkey to bray and driving Dodge vehicles. Actually, that’s all he would drive. They also mentioned that he liked to roam, which meant jumping in the truck and taking off to no place in particular and was a good cook whose biscuits and gravy will be missed. Willing to strike up a conversation with anyone, Dale never met a stranger. His garage was a gathering place to share a Miller Lite, a little moonshine or some homemade wine, but what he enjoyed most was having his family around.
Dale is survived by his wife Jackie; daughters Heather (Shannon Smith) Curd of Hope, Indiana, Brande (Keith) Niese of Batesville; son Brian (Christa) Kruthaupt of St. Peters, Indiana; sisters Debbie (Ken) Burkhart of New Point, Indiana, Diane (Gary) Gunter, Rita (Rick) Schutte, both of Batesville; brothers Steve (Mara) Kruthaupt of Oldenburg, Indiana, Orville (Barb) Kruthaupt Jr., Jim (Polly) Kruthaupt, David Kruthaupt, all of Batesville and nine grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation is Tuesday, April 4th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 5th, at Holy Family Church with Rev. David Kobak O.F.M. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests memorials to the St. Mary’s of the Rock Church Preservation Fund.