BARGERSVILLE
David “Dave” Cramer, 87, of Bargersville, IN, passed away peacefully Monday, March 14, 2022, at his home. He had a rich and varied life of military service, electrical and maintenance work, farming and community service.
He was the youngest child of Robert and Waneta (Lee) Cramer, born on February 14, 1935, in Morgan County, Indiana. He was raised in Morgan and Johnson counties, attended Martinsville High School as a freshman, and graduated from Center Grove High School. On November 23, 1957, he married Gardenia Ann Weeks, who he met in Tonopah, NV, while stationed at the Tonopah Air Force Base.
Dave spent 20 years in the US Air Force, retiring at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, with expertise in radar maintenance. His service took him and his family to many parts of the US, and him overseas to the Philippines and to Thailand. After moving back to Bargersville, he worked for RCA, Westinghouse and retired from Knauf Fiberglass as an electrician and in equipment maintenance. Farming was in his blood, and he enjoyed being involved with the farming business of his brother, Bill Cramer, and nephew, Stanley Cramer. Dave was an avid collector of antiques, and he and his wife, Gardenia Cramer, refurbished furniture for many years. In later years, his interests turned to memorabilia, and his collection and organized display of John Deere, toy trucks, and you-name-it at his home was the marvel of anyone who paid a visit. For more than 30 years, he was a regular every Friday night at the Franklin Auction Barn, helping with spotting the bids in the audience, and displaying the items for sale. He enjoyed estate sales, antique shows, flea markets, garage sales, and was a friend to many of the vendors at the Bargersville flea market. He enjoyed finding homes for the many “treasures” he picked up, including the Bargersville Retirement Center, where he regularly donated everything from healthcare equipment to puzzles. He was an avid supporter of his granddaughters Girl Scout Troop #932 in Clarksville, TN. He served on the Bargersville Planning Board for 10 years.
Survivors include his wife Gardenia (Weeks) Cramer of 54 years of Bargersville, IN, his children Terri Cramer of Bloomington, IN, James Cramer of Bargersville, IN, and Debra Flowers and son in law Tim Flowers of Beaufort, South Carolina, grandchildren Richard Cramer (Amandon), Joel Flowers, and Julie Hodges (Chris), and several nephews and nieces, the children of his brother William (Bill) and June (Sledge) Cramer and sister Roberta (Bobbie Lee) Thomas who preceded him in death along with his parents.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10 AM at Swartz Family Community and Memorial Center, 300 South US 31 (Morton Street), Franklin, IN and will be live streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com david-cramer. Friends may call on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 4PM until 8PM at the mortuary. Burial with military honors will be presented and conducted by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and Franklin American Legion Post 205 Honor Guard at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, 1977 S State Rd 135, Greenwood, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bargersville Senior Citizens Center P.O. Box 603 Bargersville, IN 46106 and or the Humane Society of Johnson County 3827 North Graham Road Franklin, IN 46131 or at www.hsjc.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
