Obituary for Elmer J. Gruver Jr.
Elmer J. Gruver, Jr., 87, of Chambersburg, departed this life on the evening of Thursday, April 27, 2023, at WellSpan York Hospital.
He was born on March 25, 1936, in Lurgan Twp., Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, a son of the late Elmer J. and Mabel (Yeingst) Gruver, Sr. Elmer was a 1955 graduate of Mercersburg Academy and a 1959 graduate of Dickinson College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He married Jeanne S. Swartz on December 23, 1960 in the Grace United Church of Christ. She preceded him in death on April 28, 2016.
Elmer worked as an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance Company. He also owned and operated the West Creek Conifer Farm in Newburg.
Elmer was a member of the Grace United Church of Christ and Cumberland Valley Lodge F. & A.M., both of Shippensburg, for over fifty years. At Dickinson College Elmer was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and the Ravens Skull & Key Societies. He was a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America Camp #645, Orrstown; served on the School Board of the Shippensburg Area School District from 1973 until 1986; was on the Board of Directors at the Spring Hill Cemetery for many years; and received Life Underwriter Charter in 1970 from the College of Life Underwriters, Bryn Mawr.
He is survived by his son E. James Gruver, III, M.D. and wife Kara of Boston, MA; his daughter, Heather S. Gruver and husband Mark Cohen of Salem, OR; two grandchildren, Alex J. Gruver and Nate V. Gruver, both of Brooklyn, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and spouse, Elmer was preceded in death by his brother, Robert J. Gruver; and two sisters, Jean E. Diffenbaugh and Marion G. Diehl.
His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. There will be no public viewing, visitation, or funeral service. Elmer will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Jeanne, in the Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art at 176 Water Company Road, Millersburg, PA 17061.
He was born on March 25, 1936, in Lurgan Twp., Franklin Co., Pennsylvania, a son of the late Elmer J. and Mabel (Yeingst) Gruver, Sr. Elmer was a 1955 graduate of Mercersburg Academy and a 1959 graduate of Dickinson College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He married Jeanne S. Swartz on December 23, 1960 in the Grace United Church of Christ. She preceded him in death on April 28, 2016.
Elmer worked as an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance Company. He also owned and operated the West Creek Conifer Farm in Newburg.
Elmer was a member of the Grace United Church of Christ and Cumberland Valley Lodge F. & A.M., both of Shippensburg, for over fifty years. At Dickinson College Elmer was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and the Ravens Skull & Key Societies. He was a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America Camp #645, Orrstown; served on the School Board of the Shippensburg Area School District from 1973 until 1986; was on the Board of Directors at the Spring Hill Cemetery for many years; and received Life Underwriter Charter in 1970 from the College of Life Underwriters, Bryn Mawr.
He is survived by his son E. James Gruver, III, M.D. and wife Kara of Boston, MA; his daughter, Heather S. Gruver and husband Mark Cohen of Salem, OR; two grandchildren, Alex J. Gruver and Nate V. Gruver, both of Brooklyn, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and spouse, Elmer was preceded in death by his brother, Robert J. Gruver; and two sisters, Jean E. Diffenbaugh and Marion G. Diehl.
His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. There will be no public viewing, visitation, or funeral service. Elmer will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Jeanne, in the Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art at 176 Water Company Road, Millersburg, PA 17061.