Donald C. Gruss

Donald C. “Don” Gruss, 80, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011. He was born on April 14, 1930 in Mercer County, OH to the late Isadore and Mary (Garake) Gruss. He worked in route sales for Coverall Rental and was a local farmer. He attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and also a Knight of Columbus. He was a member of American Legion Post 241, VFW Post 1421, and the Sun City Emergency Squad. He served in the Army in Korea. He enjoyed carpentry, traveling, camping, and spending time at his second home in Sun City Center, FL. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. Surviving relatives include his wife of 59 years in May, Fran (Miller) Gruss of Yoder; children, Vickie Kidwell of Ft. Wayne, Karen (Tsanyen) Yang of Holland, OH, Dave Gruss of Bluffton, Therese Gruss of Bluffton, Greg (Patty) Gruss of Ossian, Joe ( Julie) Gruss of Columbia City, Barb (Shayne) Compton of Yuma, AZ, Steve (Amy) Gruss of Yoder, Tonia (Brian) Mahoney of Cumming, GA; siblings, Irene Timmerman, Rita Eyink, Vincent Gruss; 21 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Victor and LaVerne Gruss. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 14623 Bluffton Road, Yoder, IN with calling one hour prior to services. Calling hours will also be from 4-9 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011 at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home, 120 West Mill Street, Ossian, IN. A rosary service will take place at 7:00 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Bi-County Services, or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.