John Edward Crunkleton

John Edward Crunkleton

January 2, 1932-November 4, 2020

John Edward Crunkleton, age 88, transitioned peacefully Wednesday morning, November 4, 2020, in Ashburn, Virginia. John was born January 2, 1932, in Pittsburgh, PA a son of the late Jesse G. and Marie (Grayson) Crunkleton. 
 

He graduated from New Castle High School in 1949 and served in the United States Army where he spent a portion of his time as a Chaplain’s Assistant in Germany. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1954. 

John was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Toolmaker Apprentice Program. He worked at Bowmar Instruments for 30 years, before retiring in 1994 as a Supervisor of Engineering.  He later worked as an Adjunct Instructor at Ivy Tech Community College.  He was a Master machinist and toolmaker and was actively involved in TekVentures of Fort Wayne and the Machinist Group of Northeast Indiana.  He was a member of the Arianas, The Lively Set, and board member of the Walden Homeowners Association.

His beloved wife of 64 years, the former Janet Gaynor LeSueur, whom he married November 10, 1956, preceded him in death on December 23, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his three siblings, George (Elener) Crunkleton, Dorothy (Crunkleton) Taylor, and David (Hazel) Crunkleton.
 

He is survived by his daughter Lynne (Anthony) Harrison of Ashburn, Virginia.

There will be a socially distanced graveside service on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ivy Tech Community College Foundation or TekVentures of Fort Wayne, Indiana.