Obituary of Stella A. Gruber

Stella A. Gruber, 73, of 322 Blockville-Watts Flats RD, Ashville, NY went to her eternal home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday (January 6, 2010). Stella was born April 28, 1936 to the late James and Sadie Harkins in Warren, PA. Stella was the loving wife of Ralph W. Gruber whom she married April 21, 1956 in Youngsville, PA. Together, Ralph and Stella built their home in Watts Flats, moving in, in 2003. Following retirement in 1996, Stella could be found in her kitchen baking, canning, and trying new recipes. One of her favorite things was to enter her canned and baked goods in the Warren County Fair, winning many ribbons and awards. Stella's family was most important in her life. She would organize family gatherings, other than planned holidays, just to have her children and their families around her. Stella enjoyed worship and fellowship at the Watts Flats United Methodist Church where she was also a member of the United Methodist Woman's group. Stella is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ralph Gruber; two sons, Jeff Gruber and Duane (Val) Gruber both of Ashville; three daughters, Deb Farrar of Youngsville, PA; Donna (Santos) Castro of AZ; Robin (Gary) McChesney of Panama; 13 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; a brother, Robert Harkins of AZ; three sisters, Betty Webster of AZ; Sadie Lind and Ruth Lind both of Youngsville; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tammy Fain; a grandson, Santos Castro; and 6 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Watts Flats United Methodist Church. Pastor Warren VanDewark will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Watts Flats United Methodist Church, Box 7, Ashville, NY 14710.