Peter Kress

Peter Kress, age 76, of Kinsman,Ohio, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, OH. Born on March 15, 1936 in Minsk, Belarus to Volga German parents, Johannes Kress and Pulcheria (Schibelbein) Kress, his family emigrated to Western Germany in 1944. Peter finished his schooling in Fulda, Germany as a Journeyman Electrician. In 1955 the family emigrated to Akron, Ohio. He was employed as an electrician for 30 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., in Akron, retiring in 1998. Peter enjoyed traveling with his wife, Linda, to all 50 of the United States, as well as 20 countries in his lifetime. He was a skilled craftsman who could fix or build just about anything. Some of his favorite creations were copper bicycle sculptures and decorative birdhouses. He was proud of his heritage and would often catch others off guard by speaking or singing to them in German. Peter was an active member of the Kinsman United Methodist Church. Peter is survived by his wife, Linda R. (Jewell) Kress, whom he married January 1, 1983, of Kinsman,OH; two daughters, Sue Ann Swift, and her fiance, John Robitaille, of Akron, OH, and Kristine (Steve) M. Mayes of Summerville, SC, grandchildren, Alina, Colton, and Danica Mayes, of Summerville, SC; two step sons, David (Brenda) Mauk of Las Vegas, NV, and Jeffrey Mauk of Fort Lauderdale, FL, grandchildren, Bryana, Brittany, and Adam Mauk of Florida; his sister, Irma (Danny) Baughman of Wadsworth,OH; his brother, Bernard (Lynn) Kress of Carrollton, GA; and niece, Mary, and nephews, Joe, John and Jeff. He is preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Anna Kress. A special thank you goes to the angels at The Hope Center for Cancer Care for their dedication and appreciation of Pete's wry sense of humor. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Kinsman United Methodist Church, 8362 Main St., Kinsman,OH, with Rev. David McKinnon officiating. Cremation will follow services and a private interment will take place at a later date in Kinsman Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday, May 6th from 2 to 5 PM at Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service, 8569 Main St., Kinsman,OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kinsman United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 218, Kinsman,OH 44428. A guestbook with online condolences is available at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Kinsman Cemetery
Church St.
Kinsman OH 44428

Visitation

Sunday, May 6 2012
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service of Kinsman
8569 Main St. P.O. Box 285
Kinsman OH 44428

Service

Monday, May 7 2012
11:00 AM

Kinsman United Methodist Church

Kinsman OH