Irwin G. Kreider, a retired building contractor and Cleona civic leader, died early Wednesday evening at the Good Samaritan Hospital following an illness of approximately one and one-half years. He was 80 years old and a resident of 104 N. Washington St., Cleona.
A native of North Cornwall Township, he was a son of the late Jacob S. and Hannah Rhoads Kreider. He began his career in the building trade at the age of 19 as an apprentice to the late Jacob Books of Cleona. He also worked as a carpenter for the late Samuel Funk and aided in the construction of the former Cleona School on Penn Avenue and the former Sunnyside School.
As operator of his own construction business, he built the South Lebanon Township High School, Wengert's Dairy, Sprecher's Office and Terminal, the Cleona Fire Hall and many dwellings in Lebanon, Cleona and surrounding communities.
Kreider's contributions to the growth and progress of the area were not limited to building. He served 28 years as a director on the Cleona School Board, having been appointed to the board when it was first formed in 1929 after the incorporation of the borough. He held the posts of president and treasurer on the board during his years of service.
Kreider was also an active member of Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cleona, and the Lutheran Church Men. He also held membership in Ihe Cleona Fire Company.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Pearl Behney Kreider; two sons, Ralph H. and Paul H. Kreider, both of Cleona; four grandchildren: a brother, Walter, Jonestown RD 1, and a sister, Ida, wife of John C. Long, Cleona.
Lebanon Daily News - December 13,1962