Martha Jane Gruber

Martha Jane (Marty) Gruber, 86, formerly of Parkview Dr., Saegertown and a current resident of the Crawford County Care Center, died Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Meadville Medical Center from complications of Alzheimers disease. She was born in Franklin March 15, 1923, a daughter of the late Ralph S. and Jane Katherine Battles Scannell. She married Albert P. Gruber July 1, 1950 and remained married for over 57 years until his death April 17, 2008. Marty graduated from Franklin High School in 1941 and went to work as a clerk at J.C. Penney Co. and Montgomery Wards for several years. While raising her family, she became very skillful in arts and crafts which was reflected in her work as a Den leader for Cub Scout Pack 254, Saegertown and while teaching Sunday School at Saegertown United Methodist Church. Marty also made the annual church advent wreath and took great joy in decorating the church. In addition to her church membership, Marty was a member of the Saegertown Womens Improvement Club, Saegertown Firemens Auxiliary, Church Women United, and was a charter member of the Crawford County Nursing Home Auxiliary. Marty, along with her husband Al became Democratic chairpersons for Saegertown, conducting several voter registration drives while also working on the campaigns for Richard Ruhlman (1980 special State Senate election) and Anthony Vardaro for Crawford County District Attorney. Survivors include a daughter, Lynn E. Gruber of Longview, TX; a son, Ray A. Gruber and his fiance Marlene Cardwell of Baltimore, MD; and a half-brother, Gail H. Walton of Green Valley, AZ. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Dick and Wayne Scannell; a step-sister, June Burgone; and a step-brother, Adrian C. Walton. Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. The funeral and committal service will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Kenneth S. Custer, Pastor of Saegertown United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Kiser Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, N/W PA Chapter, 1128 State St., Suite 301, Erie, PA 16501 or Saegertown United Methodist Church, 620 Euclid Ave., Saegertown, PA 16433.