John R. Kreuter

John Robert Kreuter, affectionately known to family and friends as Johnny Bob, age 69 years, a resident of rural Vienna, Illinois, passed away Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, at 5:45 a.m. at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky. His precious family was gathered by his side, showing a never-ending love and respect to the man who never gave up as being their husband, dad, and grandfather. He fought a long and brutal battle with quadriplegia after suffering a tragic accident in his home over eleven years ago, but his courage and strength never once waivered, and he inspired many others how to live. John was born on July 22, 1955, to John Delmar and Joan Eickholz Kreuter in Milan, Tennessee, and was raised in Metropolis, Illinois. He played and coached Khoury League baseball and Twin State baseball. He graduated from Metropolis Community High School in 1973 where he played football, basketball, golf, and baseball, and from Shawnee Community College in 1975 where he continued to play baseball. He then graduated from Southern Illinois University and began graduate studies at Murray State University. His whole life he was known for his exceptional and personal love of those Chicago Cubs. His hobbies included golfing, reading, working in the yard, watching his grandkids play any sport or any of their activities, watching baseball and just talking to people. After college, John went to work at the Vienna Correctional Center in the Recreation Department. In a few years, he became the Business Manager there and then transferred to the Shawnee Correctional Center Recreation Department where he ultimately completed eight years of employment in the Illinois prison system. It didn’t take long for others to see what a driving personality he had and that he would be a success no matter what his career would be. He was truly a “people person” and prided himself in being a hard worker. In 1987, John joined Lawrence Insurance in Vienna where he quickly became a well-known life insurance agent in southern Illinois. Being the friendly and confident person that he was, he was able to provide for his clients the insurance they would need to protect their families. He believed in what he sold and practiced what he preached throughout his career. After nine years, John had the opportunity to become the regional leader/district manager/recruiter for AXA Equitable Life Insurance for the southern Illinois region. Again, he demonstrated his ability in training others to be successful in the profession and he continued to thrive. His colleagues from both AXA Equitable and Edward Jones positively called him “Kreuter Recruiter” because of his passion to give to others opportunities in the fields of which he believed. By 2000, John was ready to explore another field, but this time in finance. He opened the first Edward Jones Investments branch in Vienna and served many in the region. He quickly grew his practice in his branch as his clients gave him their lasting trust with their investments. He was committed in making his clients’ best interests come first as if he were managing his own family’s money. After his injury in 2014, his desire was to return to his office, and he was able to do that for a year and a half until his health no longer would allow. His clients remained faithful to him through it all, and he finally retired from the firm in 2016. On December 20, 1980, Johnny Bob, a Metropolis Trojan, married Brenda Darlene Burris, a Vienna Eagle in the Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Simpson, Illinois. They made their home in Vienna, and soon you would find him involved in the local school systems supporting the Vienna Rams band, softball and basketball teams, followed by the Vienna Eagles basketball (“Pitiful, Ref!”), cheer, dance, and golf teams. He coached Khoury League girls’ softball (“Everybody hits!”) and Vienna Rams basketball. He was very supportive in the community by leading and participating in the Vienna Civic Club and as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He donated to many various causes. Vienna was now his home, and he wanted to make it the best it could be. Church was always the most important, and he had a very strong faith and belief in Christ confessing this during his final hour. He directed many toward Christ as he spoke to numerous churches with the Gideons and individually in various other instances as any opportunities arose. He loved to sing, and he sang loudly. The family knows without a doubt where he is, and that he is now walking again with Jesus free from his bondage. He was raised in the First Baptist Church of Metropolis and was very active in his churches by serving on numerous committees and singing in the choir. Most recently, he was an active member of Ozark Baptist Church. John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Brenda Kreuter; his son John Russ and wife Jenny of Tunnel Hill, Illinois; and daughter Beth Ann and husband Jeff of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Ella, Silas, Lucy, Pierce, Reese, and Evie of which he was so deeply proud. He is also survived by Uncle Lindell Eickholz, Aunt Tish Kreuter Lewis and Aunt Dea Kreuter Burton, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Joan Kreuter and his brother Greg Kreuter. The family expresses gratitude for those who took time to visit with John or give him a call during the last eleven years to help lift his spirits. You hold special places in their hearts. Extra special appreciation to those ladies who lovingly cared for him as their own. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, June 18, 2025, at 1 P.M. at Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4385 Gilead Church Road, Simpson, Illinois. Pastor David Michael Webb and Pastor Kevin Owen, a cousin of John, will officiate. The obituary will be shared by John Pruett. Burial will be in the Gilead Cemetery. John’s son, Pastor John Russ Kreuter, will conduct the committal service. Visitation will be conducted Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. There will also be a time of visitation Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 11 A.M. until the time of the service a 1 P.M. at Gilead Church. Memorials may be made to the Gilead Cemetery, 540 Gum Springs Road, Simpson, Illinois 62985 or to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 511, Metropolis, Illinois 62960, or to the India Gospel Ministries, c/o Bethel Baptist Worldwide Mission, P.O. Box 153, Hays, North Carolina 28635.

John R. Kreuter

July 22, 1955 - June 12, 2025