He was an employee of Knight's French Mechanical in Elizabethtown, and an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
He was preceded in death by his companion, Betty Stoner, his parents, Paul H. and Frieda Gussler Cruse, and a sister, Linda Lou Cruse.
He is survived by two daughters, Shannon (Jason) Penna of Magnolia and Shelley (Eric) Ricketts of Cecilia, three sisters, Sharon Kay Hornback of Hodgenville, Laura Ann Anthony of Oklahoma and Lillian Hope (Jerry) Conatser of Buffalo, a brother, Bobby Joe (Peggy) Cruse of Campbellsburg, four grandchildren, Brennen (Brittany) Cruse, Corri Jones, Ashtian (Jacob) Murton and Trishtian Cruse, and two great-grandchildren, Keaton Cruse and Kylie Murton.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville with the Rev. Shannon McCubbins officiating. Burial will follow in the South Fork Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Wednesday, and after 9 AM Thursday at the funeral home.