Stuart "Stu" Allen Gruber

Stuart Allen "Stu" Gruber, age 84, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on June 16, 2024. He was born on June 4, 1940, in Elkhart, Indiana, to the late E. Gerald and Margaret [Kaufman] Gruber.



Stuart, known to many as "Stu," leaves behind a legacy of love and family. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Judy; his sons Stephen and Sean of Elkhart; daughter Sara (Tim) Conroy of Niles, Michigan; granddaughter Emilia James of New York City; brother Jerry (Faye) Gruber of Elkhart; sister Sharon Young of South Bend; nephews David (Crystal) Gruber of Elkhart and Jeff Gruber of San Leon, Texas; and niece Debbie (Gary) Bartley of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his sister Carole Sue Gruber.



The visitation for Stuart will be held at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home* on Wednesday, June 19, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and on Thursday, June 20th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, immediately followed by the celebration of life at the funeral home. The Rev. Andrew Suite and Rev. Dr. Joyce Kuhn from the First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka will officiate. Internment at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart will conclude the day's events.

Stuart graduated from Elkhart High School in 1958. He attended Hanover College, later continuing his education at the University of Notre Dame and Goshen College. While at Hanover, Stu was initiated into Sigma Chi, where he developed lifelong friends through the bonds of that brotherhood. He was an active alumni leader, helping found the Elkhart alumni chapter in 1979 and reviving the dormant South Bend [IN] alumni chapter in 2006, which is still active today. In 2015, Stuart was honored with Sigma Chi’s highest award, The Order of Constantine. He was the 708th member given this honor since its inception in 1948. He proudly wore that coveted pin every day thereafter.

A man of strong Christian faith, Stu grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart. He was a communicant member there from 1954-1982. During this time, his leadership shone as an elder, chairperson of two pastoral nominating committees, and Clerk of the Session for three years. After marrying Judy and moving to South Bend, their church home was the First Presbyterian Church there. In 2010, they joined the First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, near their current home. 

Stuart was a loyal volunteer for causes in his beloved Elkhart. He was a member of the Board of Elkhart Community Volunteer Services and chaired the committee on employee evaluations. In 1980 he was presented the Cathryn Darr award for his seven years of devoted volunteer service.

Stu’s varied roles in the business world reflect his interests and his abilities. He joined the family company, Trawood Manufacturing, in 1963, serving as plant foreman and later general manager. In 1983, Stu launched The Royal Lancer Hair Salon, where he was owner, manager, and a working stylist. From 1991-1996 he was employed by the State of Indiana as an employment specialist and later an IOSHA compliance officer. Stuart shifted to private consulting in 1996, specializing in workplace safety until his full retirement in 2011.  

In 1971, Stuart was voted an Honourary Old Comrade in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers [British Army] for interest in their history. Over 25 years Gruber made nine visits to Great Britain. On May 4, 1979, he attended the regiment’s Guidon parade with my children Sean and Sara. He had the honor of meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ and the Queen Mother who was also Colonel-in-Chief of this regiment. 

To say that Stuart Gruber was an avid reader is quite an understatement. He was a voracious reader, mainly focused on history and biography. He had a vast collection of books in their home and made weekly visits to the public library. Stu did not think a reading experience was complete without the Oxford English Dictionary at his side. He maintained a list with detailed notes about the books he had read.

His other interests included singing, woodworking, and art. He created detailed replicas of pieces he had seen. From his love of Great Britain and its history, he crafted soldiers from wooden clothespins, authentic to the smallest detail. He also published some short stories in Reminiscence magazine. He loved nature, especially birds and could perfectly replicate many of their calls. His music collection includes Elvis Presley, and a life-size cutout of Roy Rogers kept him company in his office. He was indeed a man of varied interest and passions.

Memorial contributions in memory of Stu may be made to The Sigma Chi Foundation at 1714 Hinman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201.

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