Bernice I. Gruss

Bernice I. Gruss, 69, of Beal City passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at home. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at St. Joseph The Worker Church in Beal City with Father John Cotter officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and on Friday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-9:00 p.m. There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Michigan or to the Pardee Cancer Fund. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Bernice was born April 19, 1933, in Clare, the daughter of Fred and Hazel (Ohls) Dora. She graduated from Beal City High School in 1951. Three years later she married Richard A. Gruss on July 3, 1954, at Sacred Heart Church. She spent 27 years as the head cashier at Giant Way. She loved flower gardening, puzzles, sewing, camping, reading, and watching her grandchildren play sports. She was a member of St. Joseph Church. Bernice is survived by her husband, Richard A. Gruss of Beal City; six children Doug (Bonnie) Gruss, Kim (Larry) Kile, Rod Gruss, Karen (Dan) Faber, Steve (Rhonda) Gruss, and Kay (Tony) Smith, all of Beal City; a daughter-in-law, Janice Gruss of Beal City; 18 loving grandchildren, Chris, Lisa, Amanda, Stephanie, Janell, Jason, Erica and Josh Gruss, Melissa, Laura and Eric Scully, Michael and Coty Kile, Brian, Kevin and Adam Faber, and Trent and Kersten Smith; five brothers, Joe Dora of Lyons, Leo (Barb) Dora of Ionia, John Dora of Mt. Pleasant, Tony (Keitha) Dora of Rosebush, and Kenneth Dora of Mt. Pleasant; six sisters, Linda (Ron) Schafer of Lake, Jane (John) Cunningham of New Hampshire, Judy (Tom Maeder) Dora of Weidman, Cecelia Sheahan of Flint, Mary (Floyd) Callihan of Waterford and Genevieve Leiter of Remus; one brother-in-law, Don Strohmier of Mt. Pleasant; one sister-in-law, Mary Novar of Lake Isabella; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jeff Gruss; brother, Stanley Dora; and sister, Barb Strohmier.