Mr. Stanley J. Kronk

KRONK, STANLEY JOHN, age 97, passed away in Traverse City, Michigan, on November 20, 2012. Stanley was born to Josephine and Jacob Kronk in their home on Junction Street, in southwest Detroit, on November 14, 1915; he was the sixth-born of eight children, the youngest of five sons. Stanley was a nephew of Alderman John A. Kronk for whom Kronk Recreation Center, on McGraw, was named; the late Emanuel Steward kept the Kronk name when he founded his boxing club there. He attended St. Hedwig School through 8th grade, and graduated from Holy Redeemer High School in 1933, having enjoyed high school and CYO basketball. Stanley served in the States and the European theatre as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was captured by the Germans early in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944, marched by the Germans to five POW camps until liberated by the British 2nd Army, on April 28, 1945. He received a Purple Heart, among other medals, for his service. After the war, Stanley resumed his position in sales and service at Square Deal Miller Jewelers on Times Square in Detroit. He subsequently began his newspaper career as a Paper and Plate Handler at The Detroit Times, joined The Detroit News when the Times folded, and continued there until his retirement in 1982. Stanley was a devoted husband and father. He endured six months without his beloved wife of 63 ½ years, Wilma Imogene, who passed away May 23rd of this year. He was preceded in death by his seven siblings and is survived by two children, Paul Kronk of Aurora, Colorado, and Gretchen Kronk of Traverse City, sister-in-law Helen Kronk of Farmington Hills, fourteen nieces and nephews, and many more great-nieces and -nephews. Among his many fine qualities, Stanley was a consummate gentleman. Near the end of his life, he could no longer rise from his chair when a woman entered the room, so he would tip his cap, lean forward in his chair and say, with a little smile, "I got up for you." Stanley will be greatly missed and his memory cherished by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 3245 Junction Street, Detroit, Michigan 48210-3290