John B. “Papa” Kreye, 55, of Brighton, passed away unexpectedly on November 16, 2013, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee with loved ones by his side. He was born August 9, 1958, in Waukegan, IL, the son of Benny and Marcine (Befort) Kreye of Beach Park, IL. On August 15, 1981, he married Diane Depa at St. Peters Catholic Church. John was employed by Waste Management in Paris, WI. He was a past member and Chief of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department, an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Brighton and he enjoyed volunteering his time and helping at many church functions. Some of his passions included helping with 4-H projects at the Kenosha county fair, hunting and fishing, watching the Packers and Wisconsin Badgers, and starting his multiple projects and never seeming to finish them (his wife is still waiting for him to finish his honey-do list). Most of all John enjoyed his family and extended family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter, Kim (Jason) Gjermo of Deerfield, WI; son, T.J Kreye of Brighton, WI; daughter, Kari (Chris) Krucek of Twin Lakes, WI; and daughter, Katie Kreye of Brighton, WI. Papa to granddaughter, Addison Gjermo, and grandsons, Ethan, Nathan and future John Michael Krucek. Also survived by mother, Marcine Kreye of Beach Park, IL; siblings, Jeff (Linda) Kreye of Delevan, WI, Lori Kreye of Beach Park, IL, Julie Kreye of Rockford, IL, Dan (Sharon) Kreye of Oostburg, WI, Greg (Debbie) Kreye of Kenosha, WI, Charlie (Cindy) Kreye of Paris, WI; along with many nieces and nephews and his extended family at the Town of Salem Fire/Rescue. He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Kreye, and father-in-law, Anton Depa. A special thank you from the family to his Brothers and Sisters at Town of Salem Fire/Rescue, Aurora Kenosha ER Staff, Flight For Life, the staff at St Luke’s Neurosurgical ICU, the Kenosha County Sherriff Department, staff at Aurora 35th Street Kenosha, the Wisconsin Donor Network and Father Russ Arnet. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 25th, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday November 24th, at the Proko Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue on Monday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a fund will be set up for “Papa’s” grandchildren.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit John’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com