Jan. 16, 1922 — Feb. 28, 2006

Edwin A. Kreger, 84, of Napa, Calif., died Tuesday, Feb. 28, at a care home in Napa.

He was the son of Frederick and Lora (Falk) Kreger. He was raised in the Albany (Oregon) area, baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, attended Millersburg school and graduated from Albany High School in 1940.

He enlisted in the Navy Air Corps after graduation and was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Navy bomber pilot on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington. He flew numerous missions in the South Pacific.

He married June Gold on April 1, 1944. After his discharge, the couple lived in Enumclaw, Wash., Jefferson, New York and Colorado before settling in Napa, where they lived for 48 years. He retired from the U.S. Post Office as postmaster in the small town of Rutherford in the Napa Valley wine country.

Survivors include wife of 61 years, June, of Napa; son and daughter-in-law Art and Silvia Kreger of Baker City; daughter and son-in-law Susan and Rich Herbst of San Bernardino, Calif.; daughter Kathleen Trezza of Stockton, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and brothers Alvin of Roseburg and Loren of Scio. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Herbert, Walter, Bill and Irwin; and sisters Freda, Esther Brown and Katherine Mehl.

He loved his family and grandchildren very much, and working in his church. He really enjoyed his beautiful yard and garden, especially his hobby of bonsai. We know he is enjoying his home in heaven with his Lord. He will be missed by many of us here on earth.

A private burial at sea was held. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2069, Napa, CA 94559.

Albany Democrat Herald March 11, 2006