Joseph E. Gruber, Sr. age 90 of Harpersfield Township, passed away Friday, September 17, 2010 at Rae-Ann Nursing Facility in Geneva

Born October 14, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio to Louise (Zenik) & Frank Gruber

Joe married Leora Clutter on November 2, 1946, in Geneva, Ohio

Joe served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and then attended Horticulture School. He planted and grew many types of fruit on his farm and he and his brother Ray, were the founders of the Geneva Grape Jamboree. He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Geneva, the Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Raritan?s. He loved working outside, gardening, and polka dancing. He also enjoyed sitting on his deck with a glass of wine.

Joe is survived by 5 Daughters: Judy Stanisa of Ashtabula, Ohio Gail(Steve) McPeake of Richfield, Ohio Lorie(Fred) Wilson of Austinburg, Ohio, Brenda (Chakib) Hraga of Harpersfield Twp., Ohio, Alisa (Jonathan) Schroederof Geneva, Ohio; 3 Sons:Gary (Debbie) Gruber of Harpersfield Twp., Ohio

Louie (Diane) Gruber of Geneva, Ohio

Brian (Lisa) Gruber of Laytonsville, Maryland, Daughter-in-law Trudy Gruber of Harpersfield Twp., Ohio

27 Grandchildren

26 Great Grandchildren

Sister Anne Povse of Euclid, Ohio

Sister-in-law Fina Gruber of Harpersfield Twp., Ohio

Joe was preceded in Death by his Wife, Leora Gruber, Parents, Louise (Zenik) and Frank Gruber, Son; Joseph E. Gruber, Jr., 3 Brothers, Raymond, Sr., Frank & Louis Gruber, 4 Sisters Frances Slavinski, Lillian Petrovic, Mamie Tirabasso, and Louise Keener

Friends will be received: 2-4 and 6-8pm on Monday September 20, 2010 at The Behm Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio.

Funeral Service will be 11:00am on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Funeral Home

Burial will be at Harpersfield Cemetery in Harpersfield Township, Ohio.