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Logan County veteran celebrates 100th birthday

Daily Ledger - 1/11/2022

Jan. 11—Logan County veterans paid tribute to one of their own for becoming a centenarian.

Harold Krusemark, formerly of Hartsburg now living in Lincoln, turned 100 Monday with a gathering in the Family Room at the Christian Village. Krusemark served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 97th division where he was stationed at Pilsen, Czechoslovakia

Bill Dennis, a veteran, made introductions to a crowd filled room who thanked Krusemark for his service to the nation and his community.

"We want to recognize Krusemark a centenarian veteran. Our plans are to continue doing this for other veterans, too," said Dennis who asked Bill Gossett, a veteran, to stand who was in attendance of the ceremony.

Joe Schaler, who chairs the Veterans Assistance Commission and was key to bringing the Military Order of the Purple Heat to Logan County, shared his thoughts on Krusemark.

"This is an honor for me to wish you a happy birthday and to recognize the many lives you have touched in the Hartsburg-Emden area," said Schaler.

Krusemark graduated from Hartsburg-Emden High School in 1939 and pursued an education degree at Lincoln College. In 1942, he was inducted into the US Army and fought in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. When he returned to the States in 1946, he began a teaching career at Hartem in the fall of 1946 in the country school.

He taught in the Hartsburg grade school in the mid-1950s. Using some of the skills he developed in the Army, he kept a tight rein of his class but the students thrived under his direction. In the late 1950s or early 1960s, he started the first Industrial Arts program at Hartem.

He built the Industrial Arts program from scratch which included woodworking classes, welding and drafting. Also during this early time developing a program, he received his Master's degree from Illinois State University.

Schaler continued to read a tribute that was taken from the 2016 Wall of Fame at Hartem High School and added his thoughts which included accolades for Krusemark.

"All of the people who you have taught through the years is impressive. All of them have a high regard for you and the impact you made on countless lives in Logan County," said Schaler.

Dennis shared a story about Krusemark who was sitting with his son, Jim who were both listening intently to the ceremony.

"Harold was having trouble reading and so we got him some readers. The next day we had something planned and he didn't show up. I thought maybe he was sick, so I checked on him by banging on his door. He finally opened the door and I noticed he was still in his pajamas. I asked if he was feeling o.k. and he told me that he had been up until 3 a.m. reading. This just shows you the passion this man has for knowledge," said Dennis who then gave a salute to Krusemark.

Bob Sullivan, Commander of the Logan County Honor Guard, presented Krusemark with a 48-star flag representing the time frame that Krusemark was in the service.

Illinois State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) presented Krusemark with proclamations from the Senate and from Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield). Turner then encouraged those in attendance to sing "Happy Birthday" to Krusemark.

Krusemark received many well wishes from those who attended the ceremony.

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