Funeral services and Masonic Rites for Richard Breitkreutz, 99, of Wisner, will be held on Monday, July 31 at 1:30 p.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church in Wisner with the Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Wisner Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of the service at the church.
Richard died Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Wisner Care Center.
Richard Johnny Breitkreutz was born June 27, 1924 in Wisner, Cuming County. His parents, John and Anna (Gilster) Breitkreutz moved to Pender in 1925 and Richard graduated from Pender High School in 1942. Richard grew up having a paper route, worked for a Produce Company and a Bakery. He was with the United States Army and served in the European Theatre of World War II from 1943 to 1946. He helped liberate a Prison Camp.
On May 2, 1948 he married Alice Emily Grone at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wayne. He was in partnership with his father, John, and brothers, Francis and Melvin in the auto repair business from 1947 until 1990 when he retired. He was also a substitute mail carrier for the Postal Service.
Richard is a member of Christ Lutheran Church, served on the church council and was past president, member of Masonic Lodge #41, American Legion Post #85, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5767. He enjoyed playing legion and town team baseball, traveling, camping, and fishing.
Survivors include his daughter, Val Breitkreutz and Rod Hosman of Wisner, and family — Eric Hosman and children, Vince, Savannah, and Dylan Wendy Hosman and son, Tyler; Jennifer (Anatoly) Kaminsky and children, Reana and Alexandra: daughter, Jacque and Dwight Green of Lincoln and family — Jeremie (Ashley) Green and son, Lincoln, Joel (Tiffanie) Green and children, Brooklynn and Savannah; Jamie (Justin) Schack and children, Easton and Logan: son, Brad and Peggy Breitkreutz of Raymond and daughter, Sophie Breitkreutz; son-in-law-Gary Bellar of Wisner and family — Michelle (Chad) Holtz and children, Austin and Olivia; Travis (Melissa) Bellar and children, Cameryn, Emerson and Braxton; brother, Ron (Jane) Breitkreutz of Wisner; sister, Karen (Mike) Kuzelka of Wisner; sister-in-law, Anna Mae Breitkreutz of Wisner; numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Breitkreutz; wife of 71 years, Alice Breitkreutz; daughter, Marjorie Bellar, and brothers, Francis and Melvin Breitkreutz.
