David Earl Cramer, a life-long farmer, of Ludlow MO, passed away Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron MO at the age of 87.
David was born in the rural Dawn area on January 25, 1930, the son of Herbert Cramer and Bessie Lee Jones Cramer. He attended Maple Grove Grade School and Dawn High School.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Army from October 1951 until September 1953. Dave served with the Army’s 25th Division, Company B, 65th Engineers Combat Battalion. He earned 3 Bronze Stars (Battle Stars) for Heartbreak Ridge, Vegas, and Carson.
On June 3, 1956, David married Lolila Rose Altenderfer. Dave and Lolila met in 1952 before he left for basic training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He told her that if he made it home from Korea, he wanted to marry her. They corresponded during all the time he was in service and after he returned they were married at the home of Reverend E. Wayne Rosecrans in Trenton, MO.
The couple lived in Chillicothe and later moved 3 miles South of Utica, MO where they lived the remainder of their married lives. Lolila preceded David in death in March 2012.
Dave enjoyed hunting shooting and reading. He was an excellent marksman and a self-taught mechanic. He worked on cars, trucks, farm machinery and tractors. There was nothing he couldn’t repair.
He and Lolila liked dining out and enjoyed traveling together. He was especially fond of his dogs and cats.
He is survived by a daughter, Linda Vanlandingham and husband Chip of Ludlow; grandson, Grant Vanlandingham and fiancé Paula Carter of Columbia Mo; faithful companion Gus the cat; sister-in-law Margaret Cramer; nephews, John Cramer, Brian Altenderfer and Doral Jones; nieces, Mary Jane Stephens, Marcia Wilson and Debbie Riley: and cousin Roger Cramer of Cowgill MO.
David was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lolila; grandson, David Ford Vanlandingham; brothers, Gene Cramer and Bill Cramer; sisters, Virginia Riley and Mary Lee Everett.
Memorials in honor of David Cramer may be made to the Forrest O. Triplett Animal Shelter and left at or mailed to Heritage Funeral Home 3141 N. Washington, Chillicothe MO 64601. Put “cat sanctuary” in the memo section of your check. On line condolences may be left at www.heritage-becausewecare.com
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Heritage Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Utica Cemetery, Utica MO.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior (1:00 p.m.) on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home, Chillicothe.