Bernard "Bernie" William Krueger, 73, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at HSHS St. John's Hospital. He was born on February 8, 1953, in Springfield, the son of Bernard and Marjorie (Lee) Krueger.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy (Lou) Matsko of Naples, Florida; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Thomas Krueger.
Bernie dedicated 39 years of service to the Illinois State Board of Education, where he worked as the Printing Manager from 1978 until his retirement in 2017.
For more than 40 years, Bernie faithfully served as the chairman of the Wednesday night AA meetings at the Alano Hall, offering guidance, encouragement, and friendship to countless people throughout the years.
Bernie had a passion for blues music and could often be found listening to his favorite artists or attending blues concerts. He was a devoted Harley-Davidson enthusiast who loved everything about the iconic brand and especially enjoyed browsing Harley-Davidson stores whenever he had the chance.
Above all, Bernie loved his dogs and cats, who brought him endless companionship and joy.
He had a nickname for everyone and just about everything. Bernie never met a stranger and had a gift for making people feel welcome. True to his own style, he was known for greeting friends with a fist bump instead of a handshake. If you knew Bernie, chances are you received one of his signature fist bumps and probably earned a nickname along the way.
Graveside Service: 11:00 am, Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bernie's name to Alcoholics Anonymous at the Alano Hall located at 516 Bryn Mawr Boulevard Springfield, IL 62703 or to an AA organization of the donor's choice.
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