CRESTVIEW HILLS — George David Hovekamp Sr., former president and chief executive officer of Kruse Hardware Co., died Friday at St. Elizabeth North Hospice from dementia complications.

        The Crestview Hills resident was 82.

        “He was a loving husband and father,” said his wife of 39 years, Janet Williamson Hovekamp.

        Mr. Hovekamp served as president and CEO of Kruse Hardware Co. for 15 years, beginning in 1979. He started with the company in 1946, in its trucking division.

        First located on Linn Street in the West End — and later in Fairfield — the hardware company is now closed.

        Ms. Hovekamp described her husband as an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

        Raised in Norwood and on a farm in Montgomery before moving to Covington, Mr. Hovekamp graduated from Holmes High School.

        In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine to serve in World War II, and was stationed in Europe and parts of the Mediterranean before being honorably discharged in 1946.

        Mr. Hovekamp then returned to Northern Kentucky and took various jobs before accepting a position with Kruse in late 1946.

        He retired in 1994.

        Mr. Hovekamp was a member of the Cincinnati Club, Fort Mitchell Country Club and the Young Presidents Club.

        In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Linda Hahn of Harrison and Cindy Tretter of Edgewood; three sons, Steven of Edgewood, Mark of Hebron and George of Cincinnati; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

        Service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Highland Cemetery Chapel, 2161 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell.

        Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell.

        Memorials: Neediest Kids of All, P.O. Box 3426, Cincinnati 45201.

Putting money on the banks
Ripoff-front stadium? Not to diehard fans
River Front game a classic
Advance improves new limbs
Crackdown begins on teen drivers
Drugs, cash found in home after man shot
Local observatory gets historical marker
Obituary: George Hovekamp, businessman
Obituary: Graham Hunt, avid outdoorsman
Officials: Missing teen likely dead
Public gets say on plans
Tristate A.M. Report
West Nile virus hits local horses
BRONSON: Truth matters
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Christopher Reeve
SMITH AMOS: The new West High
Cincinnati Christian grows two campuses
Cops cite alcohol sales to minors
Dry, hot weather may drain the color from fall's foliage
OSU patient joins leukemia drug trial
Doctors return home to fill gap
Pols teeing off on privatization