Cletus J. Clete Kramer, 86, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at his home. He was born on Aug. 23, 1918, in Jefferson City, the son of August Andrew Gus and Mary Catherine Schaefer Kramer. He was married on May 20, 1947 in Jefferson City to Elizabeth Sarah Betty Gerling, who survives at the home. Mr. Kramer attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1937. He worked for Curtis-Wright Aircraft Co. in St. Louis as a foreman building P-20, C-46, AT-19, and AT-25 airplanes from 1941 until enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in July of 1943. He served in the European Theater in World War II earning the Purple Heart as a waist gunner on the crew of a B-17 flying out of Italy. He also received Good Conduct; and Air medals. On Nov. 22, 1944, on his seventh mission, his aircraft was shot down, and he was captured by the Germans after bailing out over Austria. He served as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft IV, and was part of the Death March, walking for 86 days in one of the worst winters in Europe until being liberated by the Allied troops on April 26, 1945. He was discharged from active duty in Nov. of 1945. Mr. Kramer was employed by Sexton Ford in Jefferson City for 11 years and retired April 1, 1985, as Assistant Shop Superintendent from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Motor Equipment Division, after 29 years of service. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church; St. Peter Holy Name Society; Knights of Columbus Helias Council No. 1054 (Honorary Life Member); Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Dan C. Coppin Assembly; Roy Sone Post 1003 Veterans of Foreign War; Roscoe Enloe Post 5 of the American Legion; Disabled American Veterans (Life Member); Central Missouri Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War; and Helias Athletic Boosters. In 1946, he organized the first Knights of Columbus Softball Team in Jefferson City and managed the team for several years thereafter. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Cole County Public Water Supply District No. 2 from 1979 to 1999, serving as President for 15 years, and was active in Boy Scouts for 20 years, receiving the St. George Award for adult leaders. Mr. Kramer enjoyed his retirement with woodworking, fishing, playing cards with friends, and volunteering at St. Peter Church, St. Peter School, and Helias High School, serving as an election judge at the polls, and assisting in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at St. Peter Church. Survivors include three sons, John L. Jack Kramer, Jefferson City, MO; Roger L. Kramer, St. Louis, MO; and Charles Chuck Kramer and wife Theresa, Jefferson City, MO; one daughter, Mary Joan Markway and husband Jude, Wardsville, MO; seven grandsons, Gabe and wife, Cindy; Luke Markway; and Levi Markway, all of Wardsville, MO; Ross Kramer and Ryan Kramer of St. Louis, MO; Matt Kramer and Sam Kramer of Jefferson City, MO; and one granddaughter, Sarah Kramer of Jefferson City, MO. He is also survived by one sister, Margaret Schenewerk of Dellwood, MO, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harry Kramer and Edwin Kramer; and one sister Rose Edwards. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2005, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. James M. Smith officiating. Entombment with full military honors will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 6th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Community Hospices of America, 1005 Northeast Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109; St. Peter Improvement Campaign, 216 Broadway Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; Helias Foundation, POB 694, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0694; Vogelweid Learning Center, 216 Broadway St., Jefferson City, MO 65101; or Carmelite Monastery, 2201 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Those wishing to send condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.