Donald Gruner

Donald “Don” Lee Gruner

Donald “Don” Lee Gruner, 89, of Machesney Park, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 6, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 22, 1932, in Roscoe, Illinois, son of Raymond Alonzo and Elosia Olive (Westbrook) Gruner. He attended Love Joy Grammar and Harlem High School. Employed by Warner Lambert for 37 years, retiring in 1991. He was a proud Navy Seabee stationed in Guam and The Philippines from 1952 to 1956. Don was a soft spoken, loving, kind, hard, and happy worker, who was respected by his family, friends, and workmates. He had a warm sense of humor, with many of the jokes landing squarely on himself. He never said bad things about people, he never swore, he just kept moving forward in a positive way collecting friends and their respect along the way. His influence on his family, and his extended family, illustrated the power of a calm and quiet man. Don married Donna Lee Foster on Christmas Day in 1952 while on leave from the Navy. They spent 62 years together until her passing in 2015. Together they raised four children. Don had many hobbies over the course of his life. He loved long drives in the country hunting old cars and antique beer cans, flea markets, fishing, metal detecting, hiking at Rock Cut State Park with his kids, and quiet contemplation at Anderson Japanese Gardens. He loved cars, especially his 1969 Shelby GT 500 convertible. He drove the Shelby to many fund-raising events, car shows, and parades over the years, often as part of the Rock Valley Mustang Club. He went above and beyond to take great care of his brother-in-law, Mike Foster, and loved breakfast on Sundays with the guys at the Potato Shak among many other things. But most of all he relished gatherings of family and friends; the expression of joy on his face was unmistakable. Survivors include his children, Tammy (Marc) Brechon, Tim (Shelly) Gruner, Tracey (Mike) Messink, and Melissa Gruner; grandchildren, Katie (Jesse) Weston, Megan (Brandon) Lutmer, Daniel Brechon, Donovan (Breanda) Gruner, Zak (Karoline Olson) Messink, Jake (Morgan) Messink, Max, Leo, and Sadie Ramos; great-grandchildren, Jack and Henry Weston, Ted Lutmer, and Mikah Messink; his cherished fifth child, Tiger Lee, a big black Lab; his beloved sister, Margaret Lane; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; wife, Donna; brothers, John and Ray; and brother-in-law, Mike Foster.

Service at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2022, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 9 a.m. to service time. Burial in Rockton Township Cemetery. Visit delehantyfuneralhome.com.