Mr.  Rex Krausbauer

Mr. Rex E. Krausbauer, aged 86, of Belmont, left us Sunday, November 17, 2013. He will be greatly missed by his children, Deborah (Ronald) Kimberlin, Rex Curtis (Victoria) Krausbauer, Patrick (Christina) Krausbauer; his precious pet Lanie; grandchildren, Kerri, Kevin, Keith, Kyle, Bridget, Cal and Ryan; great-grandchildren, Laura, Aubrey, Paige, Erik, Kaelyn, Hailey, Nash, Caleb, Xan, and Alani; his sister in law, Delores Missad; his brother in law, Carroll Sexton; his very special niece, Nancee and nephews, Don, Gary and Dan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Yvonne (Vonny), his parents, Leola and Theodore (Ted) Krausbauser, his step father, Harold Beamer, and his step uncle, Louis Beamer. Rex attended Davis Tech and graduated from Godwin High School in 1945, and shortly thereafter joined the Army. While he was in boot camp the war ended. He was sent to Appleton, Holland in the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, Regular Army where he was a jeep mechanic and then a draftsman. Then he was stationed in the 3059th Quarter Masters Graves Registration in Dreau, Champion, and Paris, France. He was part of the investigating teams to find buried American soldiers to rebury them in proper military cemeteries. Rex married Yvonne Sexton in 1948 and they went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. They were married 60 years when Vonny died in 2008. Rex worked at Michigan Bell Telephone (AT&T) for 27 years before retiring. As a young man he started as a Splicer's helper and then became a Splicer. He then became Construction Crew Foreman for trenching cables and stringing submarine cables across Grand River bridges. He then went into engineering and ended up as Right of Way Agent, where he secured land for phone lines before retiring. When Rex was young he became a Boy Scout and later a Sea Scout. During the 1960's Rex was active in the Comstock Park Boy Scout Troop, when his sons Curt and Pat were in scouting. Rex played taps on his bugle at funerals and sometimes even played the "echo". Rex was also active in the Westgate Association during this time and performed in a Westgate Variety Show at Comstock Park High School. He was a member of the Masonic Marne Lodge and later the Sparta Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Grand Rapids. He performed many Masonic Funerals for his Brother Masons. Rex also loved his church. He was very active in the Comstock Park Congregational UCC for over 50 years. He ran the Sunday School programs and the Junior Choir for many years. He also sang in the Adult Choir for many years and played in the Bell Choir. Rex took harmonica lessons as a child and became an excellent harmonica player. He was one of the founding members of the Grand Rapids Harmonica Club. He played in two harmonica groups, Reed City and Alley's Cats. Rex was known for playing a very large double chord harmonica. They performed at festivals and private events. They often "practiced" at local nursing and retirement homes. Rex loved his family and many friends. He was loved by many and will be missed. A Celebration of his life will be held 11:00 am Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. NE., with Pastor Dick Woodward officiating. His family will greet relatives and friends Thursday from 6 to 8 PM and Friday from 6 to 8 PM and one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. NE. Memories and condolences to Rex's family may be shared at www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. Rex E. Krausbauer please visit our Sympathy Store.