Ferdinand W. Crame

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, a beautiful morning, birds singing and calmness around us, our dad, grandpa, and PawPaw Bud passed away at the age of 88 yrs.. He was surrounded by the love of his family. You see, his wife 'Tubby' Alice was calling him to come home to her. She had passed away September 19, 2010.He grew up in East St. Louis, IL, and graduated from East St. Louis High School. He was drafted into the military after his graduation. He was a machine operator and retired from Monsanto Chemical, Sauget, IL, in 1984.After his induction into the U.S. Army, he became a Rifleman Forward Scout. He entered Company C 330th Infantry 83rd Division (Ohio). He was sent to France and entered Normandy Beach in 1944. He continued through St. Malo through northern France to Luxembourg, Germany from September to October 1944. He fought in numerous battles in the hedgerows in Normandy through St. Malo, France, then to the Hurtgen Forest in western Germany.During the battle of the Hurtgen Forest, he was wounded and sent to Reims, France. He rejoined his company to enter the Battle of the Bulge through Rhineland, Germany and advancing to Dusseldorf, and clearing out the Harlz mountains and held positions on the Elbe River near Zerbst, Germany. After the Germans surrendered in Reims, France, he moved to Antwerp, Belgium. He was treated for severe frostbite and trench foot in England from the severe cold in the hedgerows.He was awarded the WW II Victory Medal, European - African - Middle Eastern Ribbon, Four Bronze Battle Stars, Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal. He is currently being considered for the most prestigious French award for an American WW II Veteran having served in France, The French Legion D'Honneur Award.He was a very special, humble man who was devoted to his family and grandchildren, and the sparkle of his life, his great-granddaughters, who brought so much joy. In earlier years, he loved dancing, playing ball, hunting, and bowling. He was an avid fisherman and a huge Cardinals fan. He loved spending time with his family at his lake house. He lived over 50 years in Belleville, then moved to Waterloo in 2003. He was a volunteer firefighter in Villa Hills in Belleville, a member of VFW Post 1117, the Belleville American Legion, and member of the Monsanto Retirees Club. VisitationTuesday, June 26, 2012 5:00 pm - 8:00 pmLawlor Funeral Home Funeral MassWednesday, June 27, 2012, 10:00 amImmaculate Conception Catholic ChurchColumbia, ILFull Military Honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery following mass Private EntombmentValhalla Gardens Of Memory MausoleumBelleville, IL Memorial Contribution SuggestionsIn lieu of other types of gifts, memorial donations are suggested to:Hospice of Southern Illinois - 305 So. Illinois St. Belleville, Il 62220, orStray Rescue - 2320 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103 SurvivorsDaughter, Susan (Bruce) Doyle of Columbia, ILSon, Leonard (Madonna) Crame of Naples, FLGrandchildren, Alicia (Patrick) Oglesby of Columbia, IL, Bradley Doyle of Waterloo, IL, Steven (Renee) Doyle of Columbia, IL, and Kirsten and Kristel Crame of Tampa, FLSpecial Great-Grandchildren, Caylie, Taylor, & Peyton Oglesby of Columbia, ILBrother, Charles Crame of Houston, TXOther relatives and friends Preceded In Death ByWife, Alice J. (Halterman) Crame, Parents, Ferdinand W., Sr., and Bertha (DeBelle) CrameBrothers, Gilbert, Melvin, Edward, Alfred, and Joseph CrameSister, Beverly WeaverNephew, Joseph J. Crame, Jr.

Ferdinand W. Crame

October 18, 1923 - June 23, 2012