Wayne Alden Kroemer

Wayne Alden Kroemer, 88 of Zionsville, passed away on May 24, 2019. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 6, 1930 to the late Oscar and Pearl Kroemer. Wayne was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on July 13^th, 1930 and he confessed his baptismal faith in the Rite of Confirmation on May 16^th 1943, both at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. He was a graduate of South Side High School in Fort Wayne and received his Bachelor of Marketing at Indiana University, School of Business in 1952. Soon after, he was drafted in the Army and served nearly 2 years during the Korean War. He was employed by Phelps Dodge Cable and Wire for twenty-five years in various sales and management positions, which required moves around the US including Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey and Tennessee. In the fall of 1977 he moved back to Indiana and founded Custom Engineered Parts, a manufacturer’s representative sales agency. His agency continued to grow and in time included members of all his children’s families and successfully expanding as CEP Sales Inc. currently. On May 20^th, 2016, Wayne received The Degree of Dr. of Laws – Honoris Causa, from the Concordia Theological Seminary, in Fort Wayne, IN. Wayne loved attending seminars and Luther Hostels there. He shared his time and talents at Concordia where their contributions culminated with the naming of the Wayne and Barbara Kroemer Library.

While sales and the Agency were also his hobby, Wayne and Barbara did find time to travel the world. Even though Germany was his favorite country, their travels included destinations in Hawaii, Europe, Russia, China, Australia, Africa, among others, many of which were with the Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO). PMO support is a meaningful philanthropic endeavor along with Purdue and Indiana University Cancer Research and they were honored with the Purdue Pinnacle Award for their years of involvement. Wayne’s favorite vacation spot is Hiawassee, Ga, where he shares family time at their lake house on Lake Chatuge. He loved being outdoors, working with his flowers and vegetable gardens, just mowing the lawn, and chasing off the Canadian geese in his Gator. Faith and family are the two life long passions for Wayne and Barbara. They love having many family members around, traveling together, going to major events, or just the Sunday night pizza tradition. Wayne will be missed for his passion, spark, lively conversations, and love for his family, and we are comforted knowing he has gone to be with His Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara Wakefield Kroemer; his children, William Wayne & (Bethany) Kroemer, Anne Laurie & (Darcey) Elmore, Kurt David & (Mary) Kroemer, and Ellen Elizabeth & (Gary) Coval. He has 11 grand children and 7 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at Advent Lutheran Church, 11250 N. Michigan Rd., from 4-7PM. Services will be on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Advent Lutheran Church at 10:30AM. Burial will follow at Zionsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Advent Lutheran Church, Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, or to IU or Purdue Cancer Research Foundations.