In Memory of
Eleanora S.
Gruber
Gruber
1922 - 2015
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Steeley Funeral Home
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Bernice & Donald Duvall
"Eleanora was a very good neighbor and friend. She was also a contributor in the "
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Obituary for Eleanora S. Gruber
Eleanora Suplit Gruber, a long-time West Rockhill Township resident and civic volunteer, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2015 at her home. She was 93.
She was the beloved wife of the late Warren Matthew Gruber for 52 years until his death in 1996.
Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Fernand and Maria (Bleumont) Suplit. Eleanora’s heritage was Belgian, with all grandparents having immigrated to western Pennsylvania.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in December 1943 from Margaret Morrison, Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon). Her class was expedited because of the need for graduates to take the place of men enlisted or drafted into military service.
Upon graduation, she married on December 25, 1943 and moved to the Philadelphia area, where her husband was employed. Mr. Gruber would later serve in the U.S. Navy.
Mrs. Gruber was employed by the Westinghouse Corporation as a sales assistant in the Marine Division until the end of World War II, then transferring to their Appliance Division, where she was a showroom manager. She later worked briefly as a secretary at the Heintz Manufacturing Company.
She was employed by the Presbyterian Church for 25 years; first, as a circulation manager of the magazine, Presbyterian Life, and, later, as circulation director of the magazine, AD, a merger of the Presbyterian and United Church of Christ publications.
After the Presbyterian Church office’s relocation to New York City, Eleanora was employed as the circulation manager for the publications of the American College of Physicians. She was also an assistant editor for the Pennsylvania Society’s yearly publication.
Upon retirement, Mrs. Gruber volunteered with the Grand View Hospital Auxiliary, where she was honored with the Auxilian of the Year Award in 2000 and 2004 and the Jem Bowen Service Award in 2009.
She also devoted her time to West Rockhill Township projects, serving as Auditor for 18 years. In 2000, she became the first recipient of an award honoring residents who support the township with volunteer efforts. Eleanora was acknowledged for implementing the first computer system and for writing the first newsletter for the township. A plaque bearing her name may be found in the West Rockhill Township Building.
The award also recognized her donation of a large part of her property for land conservation. She had resided for over fifty years in one of the township’s oldest homes, where she and her husband had established a nursery on their 47 acres when they first moved into the area.
Most recently, she was made an Honorary Chairman of the West Rockhill Township Historical Society.
Mrs. Gruber is survived by a nephew, Charles Crummy, his wife, Margaret, and their daughter, Morgan, of Pottstown; Sheila Lane and her husband, Robert, and their children, Christine and Scott, of Steubenville, Ohio; a niece, Linda McKerrell, of Glen Spey, New York; a nephew, John Gruber, of New York; a sister-in-law, Caroline Gruber, of Glen Spey; and her caregiver, Sarma Kalnins.
Private graveside services will be conducted at the convenience of the family at some future date in Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred with those of her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand View Health Foundation Development Office, 700 Lawn Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960 or to a charity of one’s choice.
She was the beloved wife of the late Warren Matthew Gruber for 52 years until his death in 1996.
Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Fernand and Maria (Bleumont) Suplit. Eleanora’s heritage was Belgian, with all grandparents having immigrated to western Pennsylvania.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in December 1943 from Margaret Morrison, Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon). Her class was expedited because of the need for graduates to take the place of men enlisted or drafted into military service.
Upon graduation, she married on December 25, 1943 and moved to the Philadelphia area, where her husband was employed. Mr. Gruber would later serve in the U.S. Navy.
Mrs. Gruber was employed by the Westinghouse Corporation as a sales assistant in the Marine Division until the end of World War II, then transferring to their Appliance Division, where she was a showroom manager. She later worked briefly as a secretary at the Heintz Manufacturing Company.
She was employed by the Presbyterian Church for 25 years; first, as a circulation manager of the magazine, Presbyterian Life, and, later, as circulation director of the magazine, AD, a merger of the Presbyterian and United Church of Christ publications.
After the Presbyterian Church office’s relocation to New York City, Eleanora was employed as the circulation manager for the publications of the American College of Physicians. She was also an assistant editor for the Pennsylvania Society’s yearly publication.
Upon retirement, Mrs. Gruber volunteered with the Grand View Hospital Auxiliary, where she was honored with the Auxilian of the Year Award in 2000 and 2004 and the Jem Bowen Service Award in 2009.
She also devoted her time to West Rockhill Township projects, serving as Auditor for 18 years. In 2000, she became the first recipient of an award honoring residents who support the township with volunteer efforts. Eleanora was acknowledged for implementing the first computer system and for writing the first newsletter for the township. A plaque bearing her name may be found in the West Rockhill Township Building.
The award also recognized her donation of a large part of her property for land conservation. She had resided for over fifty years in one of the township’s oldest homes, where she and her husband had established a nursery on their 47 acres when they first moved into the area.
Most recently, she was made an Honorary Chairman of the West Rockhill Township Historical Society.
Mrs. Gruber is survived by a nephew, Charles Crummy, his wife, Margaret, and their daughter, Morgan, of Pottstown; Sheila Lane and her husband, Robert, and their children, Christine and Scott, of Steubenville, Ohio; a niece, Linda McKerrell, of Glen Spey, New York; a nephew, John Gruber, of New York; a sister-in-law, Caroline Gruber, of Glen Spey; and her caregiver, Sarma Kalnins.
Private graveside services will be conducted at the convenience of the family at some future date in Arlington National Cemetery, where her remains will be interred with those of her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand View Health Foundation Development Office, 700 Lawn Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960 or to a charity of one’s choice.
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