Clarence John Kramer, 87, a retired plumber and heating repairman who served in World War II as a truck mechanic under Gen. George Patton, died of heart failure Sunday, July 13, in his home in the Eola area, near Aurora.Mr. Kramer spent his childhood in Eola and graduated from Eola Grade School. As a young man, he lived in Aurora for a while and was one of the first men in DuPage County to be drafted in World War II, said family members. Mr. Kramer served in the Army Field Artillery for five years during which time he was based in Ireland, Iceland and England. He later was sent to Normandy, where as the head mechanic in charge of 15 trucks, he marched across Europe, under the command of Patton. During those months, he often worked around the clock, doing maintenance on the trucks, said family members. An active member of St. Therese Church since 1927, Mr. Kramer also was a member of the Holy Name Society. He was known by parishioners as “Mr. Fix-it,” because of all the volunteer repair jobs he did for the church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Aurora Council 736, the 4th Degree Marquette Assembly and the American Legion Post 84. He also was a charter member of the Warrenville VFW, Post 8081. As a retired plumber and heating repairman, Mr. Kramer was a 48-year member of the Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local 501. He was employed by J.H. Bollweg in Aurora for 30 years, and later went into business for himself, retiring in 1994. Survivors include his wife, Irene; a son, Steve; two daughters, Karen Michels and Mary Sue; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Therese Catholic Church, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora.
