John Nelson Cruser, Sr. – 75

John Nelson Cruser, Sr., 75, of North Vernon, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Columbus Regional Hospital. He was born on October 4, 1946, in Seymour, the son of Donald Ray & Edna J. (Allee) Cruser. He was a lifelong resident of Jennings County and had graduated in 1964 from Jennings County High School. John had owned and operated Crusers Garage. He was a member of the Westport Masonic Lodge #124 and the former Westport American Legion. He enjoyed tinkering, watching NASCAR, mushroom hunting, and spending time with family, and visiting friends and neighbors. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served aboard the USS Ajax. His first marriage was to Patricia Joleen Green on December 11, 1965, in Westport and she preceded him in death on January 19, 1986. His second marriage was to Nancy Carol Green on February 14, 1998, in Sardinia and she survives. Other survivors include his sons, John Nelson (Michelle) Cruser, Jr. of Fishers, James Stephen (Molly) Cruser of North Vernon, and Gabriel Lee (JoAnna) Cruser of Holton; grandchildren, Jennifer (Curtis) McClellan, Jessica (Zachary) Rudd, Zachary (Jessica) Cruser, Jacob (Hannah) Cruser, Jacquline (Rex) Taylor, Darrell Cruser, Maddy Cruser, Ashley Cruser and great grandchildren, Macie, Jason, Maggie, Kennedy, Grant, Kanen, Andrew and Monroe. He was preceded in death by his parents; 1st Wife, Patricia Cruser; his sons, Jeffrey Scott Cruser, Michael Wayne Cruser and Donald Patrick Cruser. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 2, 2022, at the Bass & Gasper Funeral Home in Westport. Rev. Connie Barr will be officiating. Burial will follow at Otter Creek Cemetery with military graveside rites. A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to assist with the family with funeral expenses through the funeral home. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com