Charles Leonard Cruse

Charles Leonard Cruse, 87, of New Albany, IN passed away on March 6, 2025 under the care of hospice. He was born on April 12, 1937 in Louisville, KY to parents Charles Rodney Cruse and Cora Edna (Sweet) Cruse.

He was kind, caring, loving, humorous, and always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed watching IU and Purdue basketball and instilled a love of Westerns in his youngest grandchild, Max. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, cook, carpenter, and real jack-of-all-trades. He could build or repair anything, from cars to houses - even over the telephone from across the country. He always had ideas about how something could be designed better.

He was a great storyteller and loved telling stories about his many life experiences, especially those involving fishing or his time serving in the army during the Korean War. Everyone probably knows about the puppy, Whiskey, that he brought back from Canada in his coat sleeve after one of his fishing trips or the time he spent in Germany as a crane operator, working with the missile decontamination detail, or helping to repair the orphanage damaged in WWII.

He attended Greenville Elementary School and New Albany High School and earned his GED in the army. He was immensely proud of his military service - joining the army at just 17 with his mother’s written permission. He traveled to Germany aboard the USNS General Maurice Rose for service in Bremerhaven and Mainz. He retired from Cliff’s Truck Stop and Manning Equipment as manager/foreman.

He was a life member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Louisville Thruston Chapter (SAR), a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a Kentucky Colonel, issued by Governor Martha Layne Collins, and a member of the Hereditary Order of the Families of the Presidents and First Ladies of America (HOFPLA), tracing his lineage to James Madison, James Monroe, Theodore Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his sisters, Margie Louise Antonelli and Deloris Jean Campbell; his niece, Darlene Maulden Hayes; and his partner of 26 years, Betty Reas, with whom he traveled the country in their RV, visiting 48 states.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Priscilla Cruse Robertson (Stuart), and his son, Daniel Cruse (Deb) as well as Betty’s daughter, Jennifer Wintergerst, who loved him like a father; and grandchildren, Greyson, Audrey, and Max Wintergerst, who lovingly named him Papoo. He was “Uncle Butch” to nieces and nephews: Patricia Faucett (Rick), Mona Roarx, Connie Fulton, Dennis Hartman (Jackie), Neal Campbell (Kim), David Campbell (Lisa) and Keith Campbell, as well as many cousins and great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Veterans Home Based Primary Care, Visiting Angels, Southern Care Hospice, Hillcrest Village, and Chaplain Leland Parks, as well as neighbors and friends, Susan and Zahir Toba, Chris Graham, and Patricia Nickels for their care and support.

A graveside service with full military honors and a prayer service by Chaplain Leland Parks will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the New Albany National Cemetery, 1943 Ekin Avenue, New Albany, IN 47150 (VFW Post 1693).

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the SAR Education Center and Museum, 809 W. Main St., Louisville, KY, 40202 or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).