CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Walter James Kramer, 85, formerly of Cochranton and a resident of Golden Living Center in Cambridge Springs, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at the home.

Born Oct. 4, 1922, in Cochranton, he was a son of Frank and Millie Ketcham Kramer. He married Dorothy M. Smith on April 24, 1948, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 2007.

He entered the U.S. Army on Jan. 13, 1943, and served with the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion, seeing action at the Battle of the Bulge, Hartgen Forest and Remagen Bridge among other battles in Europe, during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 1, 1946.

He retired in 1983 after 30 years working at Meadville Malleable. During those years he and his wife also farmed 55 acres raising beef and dairy cattle.

He enjoyed playing cards, doing word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, carpentry, gardening and going to the Cochranton Community Fair to catch up on the lastest news.

He is survived by four sons, Frank Kramer and his wife, Jeanie, of Meadville, William and his wife, Nadena, of Carlton, Ronald Kramer of Florida, and Daniel Kramer and his wife, Sandy, of Cazenovia, Wis.; two sisters, Belva Neason of Cleveland, Ohio, and Cleo Deeter of Cooperstown; a brother, Roy and his wife, Wilma, of Saegertown; seven grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Scott, Kevin and Angela Kramer, Amanda Eberhardt and Tonya Vause; and a sister-in-law, Nellie Kramer.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, David Kramer; a grandson, Joshua Kramer; a sister, Janet DeWalt; and a brother, Wallace Kramer.

Friends may call at Dickson Family Funeral Home Inc., 123 S. Franklin St., Cochranton, today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Clulow of Cochranton Community Church officiating.

Interment will be in Cochranton Cemetery with military honors conducted by Cochranton American Legion.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 448 Pine St., Meadville, Pa. 16335.

Condolences can be e-mailed to dicksonfuneralhome@alltel.net.