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Eugene C. ‘Gene’ Kruis

Eugene C. “Gene” Kruis, 90, Lancaster, died Saturday at Maple Farms Nursing Center.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Clarence & Iva (Wolf) Kruis. He enjoyed 60 years of marriage with the late Stella C. Kruis, who died in 2011.

Surviving are two sons: Paul A., husband of the late Kay, of Middletown, and James D., husband of Dawn (Kreider), of Leola; four grandchildren: Nathan of New Cumberland, Erin Powell of Richmond, Va., and Conner and Trevor, both of Leola; two great-granddaughters: Jane and Ellie Powell; and a brother, Paul, of Altoona.

Gene was a 1943 graduate of Altoona High School. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he served during WWII. Gene then graduated from St. Francis University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree, and from Temple University in 1960 with a master’s degree. He was employed by Lancaster Catholic High School for seven years and Manheim Township High School for 34 years, serving at various times in the capacity of teacher, assistant principal, athletic director and football and basketball coach. He coached eight championships and four undefeated football teams and had 19 consecutive winning seasons at Manheim Township.

Gene was named “Most Outstanding Athlete” at Saint Francis University in 1948-49, where he played football and baseball. He played baseball in the Altoona City League, the Tri-State League in Maryland and the Lancaster Greater County League. Gene was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lancaster Catholic and Manheim Township High Schools, Saint Francis College, the Pennsylvania High School Football Coaches Association and the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of the George Kirchner Award in 1984 by the Lancaster Sports Writers and Broadcasters “in recognition for his contribution to sports in Lancaster County.”

Gene enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his sons and grandchildren play sports, gardening, hunting, time at the beach and traveling in 46 states, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Interment will be private at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to ALS Association (In Memory of Stella Kruis), Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 500 Office Center Drive, Suite 340, Fort Washington, PA 19034.

To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.