Dale L. Gruff's Obituary
Dale Lee Gruff, 80, of North Ft. Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at home with his wife and daughter by his side.Born on July 8, 1935 in Highspire, PA, he has resided in North Ft. Myers for the past 25 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Helen Mathias Gruff; sisters, Dorothy Essick, Abby DiEsposti, Lynda Baumbach and his brother John “Sonny” Gruff. Dale is survived by his wife, Sharon L. Gruff; sons, John A. Gruff of Middletown, and Dale F. Gruff of Elizabethtown; daughters, Jennifer L. Gruff and Kathleen Gruff of Middletown; nieces and nephew in PA, Abby Lynn Gabner, Denise L. Dugan, and William Baumbach; nieces and nephew in Utah, Donna Groves, Tina McPheeters and Nicholas DiEsposti.Dale retired from the former New Cumberland Army Depot with 35 years of service. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. He was a member of the Highspire VFW, the Middletown American Legion, The Moose and The Eagles in Cape Coral, Florida. He was a graduate of Highspire High School, Class of 1953.Dale was happiest when he was boating and spending time on the river at his cabin on Shelley island on the Susquehanna River. If anyone ever needed a specific bolt, hacksaw, or any type of gadget on the island, they could always count on “Bones” to have exactly what they were looking for! He also enjoyed spending time on his boat around Pine Island and Sanibel Island near his home in North Ft. Myers.He will be most remembered for being a devoted husband, a kindhearted Dad, and a generous and good natured friend. Dale will continue to five on in the hearts of his friends and family and we will all cherish the wonderful memories he’s leaving behind.Dale wishes were to be cremated at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. His ashes will be interned at the Highspire Cemetery in Highspire, PA, and a memorial service will take place in the summer of 2016 at a location to be determined by his family.In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd. SW, Lilburn, GA, 30047. Those who would like to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time should visit Dale’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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