Cleone K. Gruber

Cleone K. Gruber, 83, of C a r r o l l C o u n t y , passed away in her home Jan. 17, 2007, at 2:35 p.m.

Born April 22, 1923, in Romney, she was the daughter of Mart and Florence Pitser Kimbrell. She was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Lafayette, and attended Purdue University, majoring in home economics.

Her marriage was to Everett "Ed" Gruber on Nov. 2, 1940, in Carroll County, and he survives.

During World War II, Mrs. Gruber and her husband lived in Albany, Ga., Washington, D.C., Rome, Italy and at the family farm west of Delphi. The family moved to Levittown, N.Y., in 1948 and for the next 30 years resided there, except for five years spent in Ann Arbor, Mich.

While in New York, she worked at Republic Aircraft on Long Island and taught courses in home economics at Hofstra College. She served as president of the Girl Scout Council on Long Island and was a member of the Junior League. She also served as an officer in the Trans World Airline Pilot's Wives Association.

During her time in New York, Mrs. Gruber traveled to many foreign countries and has gone around the world in both directions. She especially enjoyed summers on the family boat on the south shore of Long Island.

In 1978, the couple returned to the family farm and began an extensive restoration project of the Hufty family home, built in 1896.

She was active with her husband and a life member of the Wabash and Erie Canal Association in Delphi.

Mrs. Gruber was an accomplished cook, often creating her own recipes. She was an avid gardener and an excellent bridge and euchre player. She is said to have liked Delphi better than New York City. In all the places she lived, her family and friends were her first devotion.

Surviving are two daughters, Judy Svegliato (husband: Michael) of Shoreacres, Texas, and Janice Przonek (husband: John Przonek, M.D.) of Solvang, Calif.; a son, Larry Gruber (wife: Helen) of Carroll County; eight grandchildren, Michael, Tim, David, and Daniel Svegliato, Everett E. Gruber III, Jennifer Gruber Thompson and John and Jeff Przonek; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Leslie M. Kimbrell (wife: Kay) of Lafayette.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Phyllis Mansfield, and brothers, William Grant and Leland Max Kimbrell.

Services were held at Davidson Funeral Home, Delphi, on Jan. 22 with Pastor Todd Ladd officiating. Interment was at I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Pittsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wabash and Erie Canal Association.