Walter P. Kretzler III

Walter P, “Buddy” Kretzler, III

Our beloved son, brother, and uncle, Walter P. “Buddy” Kretzler, III, 65, of Joliet, IL tragically passed Sunday, February 18^th, 2024 alongside his wife Roxane Holt Kretzler, whom he adored.  Buddy was born to Henrietta and Walter Kretzler on October 15, 1958 in Aberdeen, MD.   The family made their home in Leetsdale, PA shortly thereafter. 

Buddy graduated from Quaker Valley High School in 1976 before attending Grove City College where he graduated with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering in 1981.  Growing up, Buddy quickly became the one everyone wanted to be around.  Not long after Buddy was born, along came his little sister Susie who looked up to him and everything he did.  As a people person, excellent student, and an athletic star, he often put a smile onto the faces of everyone he met. Buddy was inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 as a star athletic in Football and Track, where some of his records still stand to this day.

After college, he held various Metallurgical engineering positions in Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois, and Indiana.  He was currently employed as the Director of Quality Assurance/Chief Metallurgist at Niagara LaSalle Corporation in Hammond, Indiana.  

While growing up in Pennsylvania, Buddy enjoyed spending time at the “DuKretz” camp hunting and fishing with his father and good friends.  His love for sports showed when he coached young football players in Ohio and Arkansas.

Later in life, Buddy could have been considered the “fun uncle”, but his role was so much more than just that.  He taught his only nephew the things he ought to know (like how not to throw a baseball “like a girl”), and was always the one to go to in any situation when advice was needed. The world could be falling down around him, but Buddy’s optimistic demeanor and carefree spirit made any big problem feel like it was nothing at all.  He was a teacher, a mentor, and the best uncle anyone could have asked for. 

He is survived by his loving parents, Henrietta and Walter Kretzler Jr., his sister Susie (Mike) Falcone, and his nephew Michael Falcone, Jr., all of Leetsdale, PA. Buddy also leaves behind his dogs, bird, and horses.

We love him deeply and will miss him forever.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home (1500 Black Rd, Joliet, IL 60435).  Funeral services to follow on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11:30 AM at the Funeral Home.  A Memorial Mass will be held for Buddy at St. James Church - Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley, PA in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to a charity of your choice in Buddy’s memory.