Robert Kramer

Austintown- Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday at the Kramer Field Baseball Pavilion at 1106 Bears Den Rd. for Robert “Red” Kramer, age 87 of Fitch Blvd. who died Sunday morning in St. Elizabeth Hospital. Red was born Dec. 16, 1918 in Girard and was the son of the late Otto W. and Marie (Pierce) Kramer. He retired as a supervisor from Ohio Bell Telephone Company. Red had been devoted to sports through most of his life, and the 1937 Chaney Graduate had left his mark largely in youth baseball. He was instrumental in creating the Mill Creek Junior Baseball League in 1955 and in obtaining playing fields in the Kirkmere area two years later. He became league president in 1959, serving through 1972. During that time he obtained use of ground along Bears Den Road on which he constructed three playing fields. The conclave was named for him and the youth program now encompasses 54 teams for both boys and girls and over 700 participants. Red entered the Army Air Force in 1941 for the duration of the war and was in five major battles receiving Presidential unit citations in England, Africa, Sicily and Italy. The end of the war saw Red begin a 37 year stay of employment with Ohio Bell. The job saw him rise to supervisory heights and when he retired in 1982, he had many commendations for outstanding service to his company. Red was an outstanding true contributor to sports and an outstanding member of his community. He was inducted into the Curbstone Coachers Hall of Fame in April 10, 1988. He retired the Presidency from the Mill Creek Junior Baseball League in 1972 and was named Chairman of the League Board of Directors. In 1979, Red was elected President again and within two years the Mill Creek League had an equipment building and a concession stand. The fields were renamed in 1987 from Arco Fields to Kramer Fields in honor of Red Kramer. Red was a member of the O.P.M. (Organization of Protestant Men), American Legion Post 177 in Canfield, Telephone Pioneers of America, member of Mahoning United Methodist Church and the Westmeth Class of the church. His wife of 56 years, the former Jeanne Elrod died April 3, 2001. He is survived by three children, Paul (Debi) Kramer of Columbiana, Janet (Bill) Helsel and Cynthia Kramer both of Austintown. He also leaves three grandchildren, Patricia (Dave) Peters, Donna (Joe) Marscio and Aaron Kramer and three great grandchildren, Faith, Haylie and Julia. Red was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a sister Dorothy Dyer and a brother Paul. Friends may call at the Lane Funeral-Austintown Chapel from 4-8 PM Wednesday. The family requests that material contributions be made to the Mill Creek Junior Baseball League.