Earl Kreinhop

Earl Kreinhop, age 90 of Batesville, died Monday, November 16, 2009, at Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville. Born June 12, 1919 in Napoleon, Indiana, he is the son of Clara (Nee: Selmeyer) and John Kreinhop. He married Irene Hackman in 1945 and she preceded him in death in 1960. On November 16, 1963, he married Bertha Senft at St. Anne’s Church in Hamburg and she survives. Earl was a furniture woodworker at the Union Furniture Company in Batesville for 43 years before retiring in 1981. After Union Furniture, he spent seven years here at the funeral home assisting with visitations and funerals. His enjoyment of visiting with people along with his easy smile made him a welcomed addition to the staff. A World War II veteran, Earl served in the army, seeing extensive fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day, where he made the beach and during battle was wounded inland several days after the beginning of the Normandy invasion. He earned three bronze stars and a bronze arrowhead in addition to his Purple Heart. He was a member of the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. Earl regularly attended his unit’s yearly reunion’s which also allowed he and Bertha to travel extensively throughout the country. They visited France on the 25th anniversary of D-Day and also spent time in Germany. Earl was a gifted wood worker and worked spilled over into one of his hobbies, as he enjoyed working with and making things out of wood. He was avid golfer and also loved fishing and many times he and Bertha would go together. She recalls his quick wit and as well as being a prankster. She tells of the time they went fishing and because she didn’t carry a purse with her during their fishing trips, Earl offered to put her license in his billfold with his. Sitting with her line in the water and a stringer of fish next to her, little did she know Earl had put the game warden up to stopping by and threatening to arrest her for not having her license. After several uneasy minutes of being led on by the warden, Earl finally appeared thoroughly delighted with his stunt. He was a member of St. Louis Church and the Batesville Eagles Aerie #1130. He also spent 28 years as a member of the Batesville Fire Department and was a the last remaining original crew member of the Batesville Life Squad He is survived by his wife Bertha, daughter Karen Frankl of Conway, South Carolina and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife Irene, he is also preceded in death by sisters Thelma Huth, Viola Bauer and brother Clarence Kreinhop. Visitation is Friday, November 20th, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home with a rosary service at 6 p.m. led by Rev. Dennis Duvelius and a prayer service at 6:15 p.m. conducted by the Batesville Fire Department. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Saturday, November 21st, at St. Louis Church with Rev. Dennis Duvelius officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183 and the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271. The family requests memorials to the St. Louis School Tuition Angel Program or the Batesville Fire Department.

Earl Kreinhop

November 16, 1919 - November 16, 2009