Carl E. “Bus” Kratzer, 86, of 380 Salem Road, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 23, 2012, while driving in Middlecreek Township.

He was born Jan. 27, 1926 in Monroe Township, Snyder County, a son of the late Irvin L. and Carrie J. (Smith) Kratzer. He was married on Feb. 9, 1947 to the former Mary C. Roush, who survives.

Carl was employed at E.S. Grove Construction, Trailco, Princess Homes and retired from Selinsgrove Auto Parts.

He was a member of Zion Church of Kratzerville.

Carl was a life member of D H & L Fire Co., Selinsgrove, Kratzerville Volunteer Fire Company, Americus Hose Company, Sunbury, and the Kreamer Sportsmens Club. He was a member of Lodge 194 F. & A.M., Selinsgrove, and L.O.O.M. # 1173, Selinsgrove.

He enjoyed repairing and maintaining garden tractors, woodworking and being in the outdoors.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 65 years is a son, Kevin E. Kratzer, of Selinsgrove; a daughter, Sylvia J. Bostian, of Kratzerville; six grandchildren, Gerald and Kevin Kratzer, David Knouse, Brandy Neilson, and Donald and Ruby Walborn; 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; also three brothers, Richard, Grant and Carson Kratzer, all of Selinsgrove; two sisters-in-law, Anna Kratzer, of Selinsgrove and Anna Snyder, of Sunbury.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marie E. Knouse, in 1984; three grandchildren, Melissa Leitzel, Brian Knouse, and Thomas Walborn; and seven siblings; sisters Roena Campbell, Beata Leyman, Mildred Drumm and brothers Marlin, Kenneth, Mardean and Cecil Kratzer.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with the Masonic Lodge conducting a service a 8:30 at V.L. Seebold Funeral Home, 601 N. High St., Selinsgrove, where the funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday.