Obituary for Russell A. "Butch" Kresge Jr.
Russell (Butch) Kresge Jr., born on July 24, 1938 in his family home in Saylorsburg, P.A., returned to our Lord on January 28, 2023 at the age of 84 years old. Butch was the beloved husband and cherished friend of Linda J. Santo Kresge. Linda and Butch were married in 1980 and were privileged to enjoy 42 ½ years of happiness together. They lived, loved, traveled, and worked as partners, enjoying life to its fullest. Their bond transcends time and is a model for us all.
A legacy in Monroe County, everyone knew Butch. As a young boy, Butch worked with his dad in their family business (Russell A. Kresge and Sons’ Coal Company). At the age of 16, he would drive to pick up coal from the coalmines in all types of weather. After high school, Butch enlisted in the National Guard, serving our country with honor and dignity. He returned to Saylorsburg to work in his family’s coal business. A few years later, Butch owned his own business (Kresge Bros. Trucking and Excavating) with his brother Nathan F. Kresge (Skip) and later ran the company on his own, retiring after more than 50 years in business. Butch developed much of the infrastructure for the West End of Monroe County building roads, septic systems, waterlines, and general excavating for private homes and builders.
Butch enjoyed the game of baseball. At the age of 16, he played in the West End Men’s League for five years. As a left-handed batter and right-handed fielder, he played centerfield for 30 years for the Saylorsburg Lakers. He enjoyed sharing this passion with his sons’ Steve, Brian, Bruce, and Brett and coached in Saylorsburg Little League for over 20 years, offering his skills and knowledge to many athletes throughout the years. Butch was a director for the Saylorsburg Playground for more than 50 years, using his excavating skills to build baseball fields for all to enjoy. Butch also held the position of Ross Township Supervisor for 24 years, making decisions to best serve the residents and the community at large.
Butch loved being home with his family. He enjoyed seeing his grass cut, flowers blooming, and yard work completed. Butch’s grandkids were a very special love of his life. He especially cherished his time taking them on backhoe and tractor rides. He was able to watch them thrive in their activities and athletic aspirations, thus reliving his love of sports.
Common to all of Butch’s endeavors was his selfless service to others. Butch spent a lifetime of helping his friends, family, and community, and continuously put their needs over his own. Butch was one of the greatest storytellers of all times. Whether he was talking about something that occurred five days ago or fifty years ago, Butch told a great story with humor, compassion and love. He was kind and generous. All who were privileged to know him experienced his impact.
Butch is survived by his wife Linda J. Santo Kresge; children Sue M. McGinty (Tim Smith), Bruce S. Cerino (Beckie), Brett R. Kresge (Heather), and Steve R. Kresge; grandchildren, Lizzy Stortz (Darren), Sophia and Brian Cerino, and Brianna and Drew Kresge; siblings, Catherine Andrew (Bob), Joan Dennis, Calvin/Snooky (Charlotte); sister-in-law Betty Kresge; brother in-law James Santo (Suzanne); and father-in-law John Santo (Loretta) and many nieces and nephews. Butch is predeceased by his son Brian M. Cerino who passed away tragically on March 21, 1991, in a mid-air naval plane collision; mother, Gladys Dotter Kresge; father Russell A. Kresge Sr.; brother Nathan/Skip; brother-in-law Clifford Dennis; mother-in-law Vera Bilheimer; and sister-in-law Melanie Santo Masters.
Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Butch’s life on Saturday, February 4, 2023. A viewing will be held at Kresge's Funeral Home from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM with Rev. Ann Melot officiating. Interment will follow in Buena Vista Cemetery, Brodheadsville. A luncheon in Zion United Lutheran Church's Parish Hall will follow after the service. In case of inclement weather, bereaved may go directly to Parish Hall after the service.
Donations may be made to Monroe County Hospice House, 412 E. Brown St. East Stroudsburg, P.A. 18301 and Saylorsburg Playground, P.O. Box 125, Saylorsburg, P.A. 18353.
www.kresgefuneralhome.com
A legacy in Monroe County, everyone knew Butch. As a young boy, Butch worked with his dad in their family business (Russell A. Kresge and Sons’ Coal Company). At the age of 16, he would drive to pick up coal from the coalmines in all types of weather. After high school, Butch enlisted in the National Guard, serving our country with honor and dignity. He returned to Saylorsburg to work in his family’s coal business. A few years later, Butch owned his own business (Kresge Bros. Trucking and Excavating) with his brother Nathan F. Kresge (Skip) and later ran the company on his own, retiring after more than 50 years in business. Butch developed much of the infrastructure for the West End of Monroe County building roads, septic systems, waterlines, and general excavating for private homes and builders.
Butch enjoyed the game of baseball. At the age of 16, he played in the West End Men’s League for five years. As a left-handed batter and right-handed fielder, he played centerfield for 30 years for the Saylorsburg Lakers. He enjoyed sharing this passion with his sons’ Steve, Brian, Bruce, and Brett and coached in Saylorsburg Little League for over 20 years, offering his skills and knowledge to many athletes throughout the years. Butch was a director for the Saylorsburg Playground for more than 50 years, using his excavating skills to build baseball fields for all to enjoy. Butch also held the position of Ross Township Supervisor for 24 years, making decisions to best serve the residents and the community at large.
Butch loved being home with his family. He enjoyed seeing his grass cut, flowers blooming, and yard work completed. Butch’s grandkids were a very special love of his life. He especially cherished his time taking them on backhoe and tractor rides. He was able to watch them thrive in their activities and athletic aspirations, thus reliving his love of sports.
Common to all of Butch’s endeavors was his selfless service to others. Butch spent a lifetime of helping his friends, family, and community, and continuously put their needs over his own. Butch was one of the greatest storytellers of all times. Whether he was talking about something that occurred five days ago or fifty years ago, Butch told a great story with humor, compassion and love. He was kind and generous. All who were privileged to know him experienced his impact.
Butch is survived by his wife Linda J. Santo Kresge; children Sue M. McGinty (Tim Smith), Bruce S. Cerino (Beckie), Brett R. Kresge (Heather), and Steve R. Kresge; grandchildren, Lizzy Stortz (Darren), Sophia and Brian Cerino, and Brianna and Drew Kresge; siblings, Catherine Andrew (Bob), Joan Dennis, Calvin/Snooky (Charlotte); sister-in-law Betty Kresge; brother in-law James Santo (Suzanne); and father-in-law John Santo (Loretta) and many nieces and nephews. Butch is predeceased by his son Brian M. Cerino who passed away tragically on March 21, 1991, in a mid-air naval plane collision; mother, Gladys Dotter Kresge; father Russell A. Kresge Sr.; brother Nathan/Skip; brother-in-law Clifford Dennis; mother-in-law Vera Bilheimer; and sister-in-law Melanie Santo Masters.
Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Butch’s life on Saturday, February 4, 2023. A viewing will be held at Kresge's Funeral Home from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM with Rev. Ann Melot officiating. Interment will follow in Buena Vista Cemetery, Brodheadsville. A luncheon in Zion United Lutheran Church's Parish Hall will follow after the service. In case of inclement weather, bereaved may go directly to Parish Hall after the service.
Donations may be made to Monroe County Hospice House, 412 E. Brown St. East Stroudsburg, P.A. 18301 and Saylorsburg Playground, P.O. Box 125, Saylorsburg, P.A. 18353.
www.kresgefuneralhome.com