~Descendants of Franz von Gruner~
~Archives of 2002 Announcements~

These are the announcements of 2002.

(You may turn the music off here)

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February 10th. 2002 Announcement This is the 90th. birthday of our beloved Philip M. Gruner who is the last of the 4th. generation descendants of Franz von Gruner and beloved Uncle of his nieces & nephews. To those whom signed his guestbook, Thank you.

February 14th. 2002 Announcement This is the birthday anniversary of our Virginia "Ginger"Johnson Richter, [G-75-64] daughter of Helen Gruner Johnson and William Johnson.

Announcing the birth of Bridget Maria Lawson[G-75-4431] Daughter of Andrew [G-75-443] and Megan, arriving February 20, 2002, at 12:23AM, weighing 6 lbs.9oz. She is the grandaughter of Mary Jo [G-75-44].

March 19. 2002 Announcement This is the birthday anniversary of A. Warren Gruner [G-74-13] Third son of Karl W. Gruner and Pauline (Buck) Gruner. Happy Birthday Warren

March 23. 2002 Announcement G-24-12 Lawrence Dale Gruner, born 27 Dec 1927, Coldwater, MI, son of Glen Anton Gruner and Clara Marsh. He died on 16 Mar 2002. He was a veteran of WW2, US Navy Submarine Service, afterward attained a Master's degree in electrical engineering from St. Louis University, went to work for McDowell Douglas Aviation, where later retired. He made his home in Chesterfield, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Helen and five children, Suellen, Barbara, Michael, Dale and Margaret.Lawrence was a 5t Generation Gruner. He came to many of the Gruner reunions in the earlier years.

March 25th. 2002 Announcement for April 1st. April 1st, 2002, is the Birthday Anniversary of Charles W. Gruner [G-23-31] First son of Clare Gruner and Wilma Strong. Charles is also the President of the Gruner Heritage.

March 27, 2002 Announcement Sean is home! [G-75-4222] Tom and Claire are happy to report that their son Sean is back on American soil once again and will be home with them for a gathering of the clan for Easter. Sean, a staff sergeant in the National Guard, has spent six months as part of the peacekeeping force in a rugged outpost in Bosnia. He and his fellow servicemen have the thanks, not only of our family, but of a grateful nation for their part in preserving the freedoms we enjoy. (This message posted by a grateful grandmother, Marian Zang, who wants to thank all of you who have kept him in your prayers.)

March 27 birthday announcement Birthday anniversary of Frank Marsh Gruner [G-24-13] April 5 He (G-24-13) is the third son of Glen and Clara. He spent his childhood years on the farm of his great-grandfather, Anton. After high school he attended art school. After a stint in the army as a staff sergeant during the Korean War, he went to work and later retired from the Michigan Bell Telephone Company as a professional artist.

March 28, 2002 Announcement Nancy [G-75-36] is proud to announce that two of her grandsons, Richard and Andrew have joined the Military. They are the sons of Nancy Lynne. [G-75-361] Richard has joined the United States Navy, March 22, 2002, and reported for basic training at Great Lakes. Andrew has joined the United States AirForce and reports in Sept. 2002, for basic training in Texas. In light of the present situation of this country since 9-11, it reflects courage and patriotism in our Gruner families. Please keep them in your prayers

Announcement for April 15th. The Birthday anniversary of Robert Harold Gilbert [G-75-13]. He is a grandson of Ben Gruner, the third child of Flora Gruner and Charles Wheeler Gilbert. Robert was a US Navy combat veteran of WW2, assigned to the USS Charles Carroll, an amphibious transport during the Normandy Beach invasion and later in Okinawa. After the war he completed his education, first attending the University of Alabama, then receiving a degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He went to work for the Seagram company of New York, where he retired as a quality control specialist. An avid golfer, one of his greatest joys has been many meetings with his brother and sisters for an annual golfing vacation.

Announcement for April 26th. The Birthday anniversary of Kathryn Vesey [G-73-51]. She is a granddaughter of Edna Gruner, and the first child of Horace Vesey and Esther. She enjoys travel and has been a companion to the elderly. May this birthday be her most blessed and happiest.

Announcement 03 May The Birthday anniversary of Hubert Cline [G-73-42]. Hubert is the son of Lottie Vesey and Vern Cline, and grandson of Edna Gruner Vesey. Hubert is not online, but he is well-known in his community as he was a teacher and athletic coach in Fort Wayne, whom later retired as principal of a junior high school. We wish Hubert a most Happy Birthday Anniversary!

Announcement for May 29th. The Birthday anniversary of Robert L. Gruner [G-75-33]. He is the son of Wenzel E. Gruner and Mary Louise Shannon, and grandson of Benjamin S. Gruner. Robert (Bob) retired from Western Union some years ago and has since worked at other jobs at repairing things which he is excellent at. He is a wonderful brother to this webmaster and keeps her on her toes with spelling and grammar. (*smiles) We wish Bob a most Happy Birthday Anniversary!

Announcement May 31st. 2002 The family has reported the death of Beulah Harvey Gruner. She is the widow of K. Wilbert Gruner (G-74-11) who died in May 1991. The funeral for Beulah will be Saturday, June 1, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater, Michigan. Surviving are their two sons, Karlton Wilbert and Kurtis Ward Gruner, plus several grandchildren and great-granchildren. You may leave a condolence message at Condolence Message

Announcement June 04th. 2002 Gayle (G-23-12) is the second child of Vera Gruner and Clarence Oviatt, the granddaughter of Charles S. Gruner and great-granddaughter of Anton Gruner. She was born in Coldwater, Michigan, but spent most of her adult life in the Washington, DC area. Gayle is exceptionally talented, a history buff and an avid supporter of the Gruner Heritage. Her work in Washington has been outstanding. She served on the staff of Vice President Mondale, became a freelance calligrapher, produced two films and many short segments for television and later became a docent for the Smithsonian Institution. We wish her Happy Birthday -- and many more.

Doctorate Degree Received Her parents are proud to announce that "Marty," the former Martha DeBoe (G-24-212), has received a doctorate degree from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. She is the daughter of Jack and Dorothy McQueen DeBoe and great-granddaughter of Edwin Gruner (G-24) Marty's bachelor degree was in education from Michigan State University, masters was from University of Oregon, Corvallis, and doctorate from Portland State University, Portland, in their Systems Science Doctoral Program. The proper title is Doctor or Philosophy in Systems Science. The field of specialty is artificial intelligence, and her thesis was "Analysis of the Characteristics of a Large Scale Reading Assignment." Basically, the thesis is concerned with the use of computer statistical analysis of written essays for comparative evaluation of student performance. Some of the applications have been the development of interactive computer programs to supplant or replace tests such as ACT and SAT. These testing methods, as developed, have been used by the State of Oregon Board of Education, and have been supplied as a service to several other western states.

Announcement for July 1st. 2002. Charles (G-75-12) is the son of Flora Gruner and Charles W. Gilbert, and the grandson of Ben Gruner (G-75). He is a veteran of WW2 and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He retired as a real estate manager for the Union Oil Company. He and Mary Jo have two children, but with all the grandchildren (including a set of trips) and now great-grandchildren, their lovely family grows by leaps and bounds. Happy birthday, Charles, from your family and your loving cousins!

Announcement 17 July 2002. The birthday anniversary of John D. Gruner, G-24-15, fifth child of Glen Anton Gruner and Clara Marsh Gruner. "Jack" was born July 17, 1933 in Coldwater, MI. The Gruner families wish him a happy birthday with family love. If anyone has the current address for "Jack" please send it to the family historian, Marian Zang or this webmaster, Nancy Gruner Urvan

Birthday Announcement 27 August Benjamin Lee Gruner G-75-74A, adopted son of Philip and Rose Gruner. Happy birthday Ben!

Birthday Announcement 09 Sept Richard Gruner G-75-72A, adopted son of Philip and Rose Gruner. Happy birthday Richard!

Birthday Announcement 11 Sept Leroy Gruner G-75-71A, adopted son of Philip and Rose Gruner. Happy birthday LeRoy!

Birthday Announcement 17 September Kjersti Arlyn Horais will celebrate her 27th birthday on 17 September. She is the daughter of Raymond Horais (Gruner), grandaughter of Maynard Lloyd Gruner, great-granddaughter of Glen Gruner, great-great grandaughter of Edwin Gruner. She is a very sweet girl who loves animals and is working toward becoming a vet.

Birthday Announcement for September 30th. G-75-14 Sarah is the fourth child of Flora Gruner and Charles Gilbert, born in Marion County, Alabama. She married Herman Waters, a materiel manager with the Ford Motor Company in Atlanta. He later worked about ten years in Detroit until he could be transferred back to Atlanta, where he died in 1977. Sarah doesn't golf, but enjoys her golfing brothers at their frequent family reunions. Sarah is a delightful, well-rounded and computer-literate person who enjoys corresponding via e-mail.

Announcement From Sarah. Sarah Gilbert Waters (G-75-14) is preparing for a several upcoming birthday celebrations. She notes that her daughter Becky Waters has a birthday on September 15, and Becky's daughter, Chelsea Waters, has a birthday on September 5. Sarah's other daughter, Sandra Lynn Phillips, has a birthday on October 17. All of them live in the Atlanta area.

Tribute to Carol (G-75-45) Carol was born September 9, 1936, the youngest child of Mary Katherine Gruner and Virgil Sherburne, a granddaughter of Ben Gruner. She died on September 29, 1974, after having lived barely thirty-eight years, but she touched many lives in those years. My sister Mary Jo and I have composed a tribute to her memory and our cousin Nancy has set it up beautifully in a special page of the Gruner website. We hope you will visit the site and remember Carol in you own way. ---Marian Sherburne Zang

1 Year Anniversary Announcement The Gruner Heritage will be celebrating it's one year anniversary September 20, 2002, at 3:58 PM of being online at Rootsweb.com! It has been a labor of love and work from our family members that have made this site possible. I thank each of you that have contributed and still hope for more photo's to be forthcoming soon.

A Thank you from your Webmaster

My Appreciation to all our Families September 27th. was a day of surprise for this family member, your webmaster. I had a visit from the UPS delivery man with a package addressed to me. Now I hadn't ordered anything so I asked the man where the package came to which he replied, "Cleveland, Ohio." That didn't tell me a thing! I signed for the package, took it inside, and opened it carefully. A most surprising and very needed item was in it! A zip drive. (For those that don't know what this is, it is a file storage device for computer files) I have needed one direly since my old one gave out back in the summer. I have learned that this "Iomega Zip Drive" was purchased and sent to me by our Gruner Families. So for that very special gift, I wish to thank each of you that made it possible and tell you that you have certainly touched my heart and given me a very broad smile. God Bless all of you. With Family Love, Nancy Gruner [G-75-36]

Birthday Anniversary 01 Oct G-23-33 Bruce is the youngest child of Clare Gruner and Wilma Strong, grandson of Charles Sidney Gruner and great-grandson of Anton Gruner. His older brother Charles is the current president of the Gruner Heritage Reunion. Bruce was born and raised in Branch County, Michigan and is one of the last alumni of the Centennial rural school in Coldwater Township, a one-room schoolhouse founded in 1876. After college, Bruce became a sanitarian with the Ingham County Health Department.

Birthday Announcement Helen L. Gruner [McCuddy] G-76-35, is a 5th generation Gruner, grandaughter of Benjamin S. Gruner and Ellen White Fant, and the daughter of Wenzel E. Gruner and Mary Louise Shannon, born in Memphis, TN. on October 13. Helen graduated from Messick High School and continued her education at a technical school where she excelled in accounting. She loves crafts and crocheting. She makes beautiful Christmas Decorations and other items with her talent in crafting. She has two daughters, one a lawyer and the other a loving mom.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Announcement for October 13 Charles W. Gruner (G-23-31) and Wilma Jean Fillmore are celebrating 50 years of marriage on October 13. Charles is the son of Clare Gruner, great-grandson of Anton Gruner. Charles and Wilma retired after successfully farming in Branch County for many years. Through the years they found time for community service, including the 4-H Club, the Branch County Farm Bureau, and many years in which "Charley" served as Girard Township Supervisor. He is currently the President of the Gruner Heritage Reunion, though he relies on Wilma to keep the their family genealogy computer records. They have been blessed in a special way. It is amazing in this modern age for a couple to have stayed together long enough for a Golden wedding anniversary and even more amazing that they are still operating as a team, still caring for one another! We hope you will join in this wonderful occasion by signing their guest book and letting them know you wish them many more happy years together.

Birthday Announcement 31 Oct Dorothy McQueen Deboe (G-24-21), is a 5th generation member of the Anton Gruner branch, the daughter of Elsie Gruner and Leo McQueen, granddaughter of Edwin Gruner. She was born in Coldwater, Michigan on October 31, and lived there until around 1950 when she and her husband Jack moved to Toledo. Artistic since childhood, she continued her interest in art there. Some of her works have been shown in the Toledo Art Gallery. She made most of the drawings for "The Gruner Heritage" and the Gruner cook book. After retirement, she and Jack moved back to Michigan where Dorothy and Jack have both continued a longtime interest in genealogy and Gruner history.

Birthday Coming The birthday of Marian Sherburne Zang G-75-42, our family historian, is here, November 13. Her guestbook is on her tribute page and I hope you will all leave her a nice birthday wish. She is 'Our" Special birthday Lady for November!". Visit her "Tribute Page" at the link below and her birthday page through the link on the left.

Death of Ricky Richters - Spouse of Virgina Johnson [Richters] G-75-64 An email was received today from Virgina "Ginger," daughter of Helen Gruner [Johnson][G-75-6] and William Johnson, whom asked me to let the family know of her husband, Rick's passing. --------------------------- "In Her Words" Is at the condolence Page A guestbook is provided for those wishing to leave a message.

Birthday Announcement November 18th is the 80th birthday of Jean Draper G-23-11. Jean is the eldest grand child of Charles S. Gruner and my first cousin. She is the eldest daughter of Vera Gruner and Charles S. Gruner, Granddaughter of Anton Gruner. She is a retired academic advisor with Michigan State University in East Lansing.

01 December Birthday G-21-13 Marian Osborn Vogel, whose birthday is December 1, is the third child of Bernice Cooley and Lewis Osborn, granddaughter of Caroline Gruner, great-granddaughter of Anton Gruner. She is a Navy veteran of WW2 and a retired English teacher. She lives in Illinois.

03 December Birthday G-33-71 David Mitchell, whose birthday is December 3, is the son of Edna Cooper and John Mitchell, grandson of Caroline Gruner Cooper and great-grandson of Josef Gruner. David is an electrical engineer and lives in New York State.

04 December Birthday G-74-53, John Horace Vesey, whose birthday is December 4, is the son of Horace Vesey and Helen Hunt, the grandson of Edna Gruner Vesey, the great-grandson of Wenzel Gruner.

13 December Birthday G-24-22 Connie McQueen Elliget, whose birthday is December 13, is the daughter of Elsie Gruner and Leo McQueen, granddaughter of Edwin Gruner and great-granddaughter of Anton Gruner. She retired as a psychologist. She lives in the gracious home of her grandparents, a landmark on the River Road on Coldwater, Michigan.

December 17 Birthday G-75-44 Mary Jo Sherburne Cordell, whose birthday is December 17, is the daughter of Mary Katherine (Kate) Gruner and Virgil Sherburne, granddaughter of Ben Gruner and great-granddaughter of Wenzel Gruner. She retired as a management officer with the University of Michigan Law Clinic.

December 24 Birthday G-75-37-SC Charles E. Davis, whose birthday is December 24, is the stepson of Wenzel E. Gruner. Charles, a retired Major from the U.S. Army, also retired from the U.S. Postal Service after his military career. He presently lives in Arizona with his wife Juanita.

December 27 Birthday G-74-44 Winifred (Winnie) Gruner Tappenden, whose birthday is December 27, is the daughter of Karl Gruner and Pauline Buck, granddaughter of Ward Gruner and great-granddaughter of Wenzel Gruner. She has served as the awards officer for the Gruner Reunion since 1976. She lives in Michigan.

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Archives 2003

Page updated: September 10, 2003