Mrs. Bessie Mae Gruber passed away Monday afternoon at 2:45, in the Mary Wickert home in Astoria, where she had been cared for during the past two months. Mrs. Gruber had been in ill health for about two years and has been confined to her bed since Christmas. She was aged 43 years, 10 months and 17 days.
She was born near Astoria, May 23, 1900, the daughter of Samuel G. and Mary (Elgin) Bucher. She lived near Astoria all her life. In 1918 she was married to Jesse Gruber, and to this union eight children were born, all of whom are living. Her husband preceded her in death Dec. 8, 1936. Her father passed away June 30, 1917, her mother having preceded him a number of years.
Mrs. Gruber accepted Christ as her Savior and united with the Church of the Brethren, being baptized Nov. 25, 1909. For the past number of years she has been actively serving in the church and has been an example of faithfulness to all church services.
She is survived by her eight children: Mrs. Ollidean Colgan of Peoria; Mrs. Iona Richardson of Havana; Mrs. Mary Hamm of Peoria; and the five sons, Max, Gerald, Stanley, Bobbie and Donnie, all of Astoria. Also by four brothers and three sisters: Floyd Bucher of Englewood, Colo.; Harry and Elgin Bucher of Rockford, Ill.; Ralph Bucher of Bradford; Mrs. Fannie Becker, wife of the Rev. A. P. Becker of Whitefish, Mont.; Mrs. Clara McDermott and Mrs. Fern Ketcham, both of Canton.
At a great sacrifice, Mrs. Gruber cared for her family as best she could after the death of her husband, until her last sickness made it impossible for her to be up and about. The sons who were still at home were then provided for in other homes in the Astoria community.
Funeral services were conducted this afternoon at 2:30 in the Church of the Brethren, by her pastor Lester E. Fike. Burial in the Astoria cemetery. All her children and the brothers and sisters were present for the funeral service.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus