Kenneth "Kenny" D. Cruce Sr., 82, of Highland, IL, born October 1, 1938 in East St. Louis, IL passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O'Fallon, IL.

Kenny was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He retired from Conagra/ Gavilon and K.C.Distributors Inc. Fertilizer Industry. Past President of both K.C. Distributors and Southern Illinois Fertilizer Convention. One of the founders of the Midwest AG Scholarship Foundation Fund. Avid golfer, sports enthusiast and fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Edna, nee Ferkel, Cruce; two brothers, Wade "Don" and Michael; and two sisters, Wilma (Dan) Sullivan and Carolyn (Richard) Rawlings.

Surviving is his loving wife of 34 years, Ellen nee Beever; Cruce; son, Kenneth D. (Kim) Cruce Jr. of Floyds Knobs, IN; daughter, Maggi (Irv) VanZummeren of Swansea, IL; sister, Denise (Dennis) Knolhoff of O' Fallon, IL; grandchildren, Jessica (Chris) Carrell of Lebanon IL, Josh (Jacqueline Neil) Tarr of Kansas City, David, Michael and Joseph VanZummeren and great grandchildren, Dakota, Brooks and Ellie Carrell. A special thank you to William and Glenda Beever, James Beever and their families. Special friends, Ron and Ann Smith, Pam and Ron Schrumpf, Jerry And Mary Merkel, Kenny and Phil Martin, Jill Schwend and neighbors of Sun Court, Highland, IL. Special thank you to the Doctors and staff of St Joseph of Highland IL and St. Elizabeth Hospital of O'fallon, Illinois.
He was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to many.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children -St. Louis 4400 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 in honor of a his special sister-in-law Rose Marie Beever, or the FFA of Highland High School.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.braunfh.com.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Braun Family Funeral Home Columbia, IL. Funeral service will follow at 7:00 PM with Reverend Leonard Pye. A private burial will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery St. Louis, MO