Loved everybody off the rack
Winnebago - Clarence J. "Grandpa" Gruhlke, 87, of Winnebago, died Thursday morning, August 3, 2006, in his home, in the care of his family. Born May 26, 1919, in Montello, Wis., the son of Henry August and Lillian (Leonard) Gruhlke. Graduated from Montello High School in 1937. He served as an Army cook in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during WWII, from January 9, 1943 to January 8, 1946. Clarence married Doris Mahoney in New York. She died in 1961. Clarence married Dorothy (Marsden) Wagner on February 22, 1963, in Pecatonica. He was a dispatcher at Graybar Electric in Melrose Park for 25 years. Clarence then was a janitor for Seward Grade School, in Seward for ten years. He was a member of the Craig Post No. 60 American Legion, in Rockford. Clarence loved teasing his grandkids, was an animal lover, and enjoyed fishing, gardening and baseball, including the Chicago Cubs.
Clarence is lovingly survived by his daughter, Patricia (Roger) Schroder of Winnebago, grandchildren, Lisa (Bob) Warren and Doug Schroder, great-grandchildren, Ryan and Brad Warren and Lori Schroder, all of Rockford, brother, Arthur (Stella Edge) Gruhlke of Beloit, Wis., sister-in-law, Marjorie Gruhlke, of Montello, nephews, Leonard (Fran) Gruhlke, Jr., of Lake Zurich and John Gruhlke of Waukesha, Wis., several other nieces and nephews, and special friend, Margaret Sullivan of Loves Park.
Clarence was also predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Gruhlke on August 1, 1993 and brothers, Leonard, Carl, Vincent, William and Max Gruhlke.
His family wishes to especially thank his niece, Bev O'Brien for providing her personal hair care, Dolores and Earl Moser for their neighborly devoted assistance and caregivers, Mary, Tricia and Jill.
Funeral Information
Service is at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2006, in Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago, with the Rev. Dr. Murray L. Hanson, pastor of Third Presbyterian Church, in Rockford, officiating. Burial in Winnebago Cemetery in Winnebago. Visitation 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 2006, in the funeral home.
