SILENT KEY

Frederick Lawrence Kramer
Frederick Lawrence Kramer, 52, of Garrett, Indiana, passed away peacefully on
Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne,
surrounded by his loving family.
Frederick courageously battled acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for 15 years. Although
he had achieved remission from the disease, the lasting effects and complications of
the treatments he endured over the years ultimately took a devastating toll on his
body and led to his passing. Throughout his long journey, Frederick showed
remarkable strength, courage, and perseverance.
He was born September 24, 1974, in LaGrange to Robert and Cheryl (Smith) Kramer.
On May 13, 2006, at Faith United Methodist Church in Kendallville, Fred married the
love of his life, Stephanie Rutherford. Together, they shared more than 20 years of
love, memories, and family.
Fred worked at Alcoa in Auburn, Weaver Popcorn in Van Buren, and ENI Labs in Fort
Wayne.
Fred was a ham radio operator, proudly using the call sign KD9SAM. He enjoyed
making connections through the airwaves and sharing his love of the hobby with
others. He was also a devoted St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and an IU basketball
fan.
Fred had a special place in his heart for his beloved dog, Kira. But above all else, Fred
loved his family. They were the most important part of his life, and his love for them
was evident in all that he did.
Surviving are his wife, Stephanie Kramer of Garrett; a son, Nolan Kramer at home; a
daughter, Aryka Kramer at home; his mother, Cheryl Kramer of Kendallville and
formerly of Topeka; a sister, Brenda (Wes) Scott of Perrysburg, Ohio; his mother-in-
law, Laurie Rutherford of Marietta, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Andi (Michael) Zavor of South
Bend; two nieces, Kaitlyn Scott of Perrysburg, Ohio and Phoebe (Cody) Scott of Toledo,
Ohio; and a great nephew and niece, Braxtyn Scott and Raelynn Scott.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kramer on July 31, 2002; and his
father-in-law, Timothy Rutherford on February 7, 2012.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Young Family
Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 9, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Preferred memorials are to Inheritance of Hope Foundation, 1314 Chattahoochee Ave
NW, Suite K2, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Amateur Radio License Plate

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles says that the new design Indiana
Amateur Radio License Plate will be available for order starting
February 12. You will have to go to a BMV branch with a copy of your
FCC-issued amateur radio license in order to apply. There’s more
information about getting the new plate here:
https://inarrl.org/news/indiana-amateur-radio-license-plate