Earl Gruel, 87, of Bonduel, passed away on Friday evening, Oct. 23, 2015, at Meadow View Estates in Bonduel.
Earl was born in the town of Hartland on Oct. 4, 1928, to the late Otto and Anna (Ziebarth) Gruel. Earl grew up on and later farmed the family farm in the town of Hartland. In 1975, Earl married Jerolene (nee Ponton) Commons; she preceded him in death on Oct. 5, 2001. Earl was a lifelong member of Zion United Methodist Church in Bonduel where he served on the cemetery committee.
Earl is survived by three stepsons, Ray (Jean) Commons, of Weston, Ernest (Laurie) Commons, of Port Washington, and Clark (Annette) Commons, of Bonduel; six stepgrandchildren; five great-stepgrandchildren; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Gruel; nieces and nephews, Vernon (Geraldine) Pitt, Keith Pitt, Connie (Peter) Martineau, Kathy (Steve) Hughes, Linda (Bill) Biese, Barb (Todd) Maves, Mari (David) Kriescher, David (Noreen) Gruel, Rick (Joan) Gruel and Jim Gruel; as well as his good friends, Cletus and Gloria Kurowski.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two brothers, Mervin and Dale Gruel; and one sister, Vera Pitt.
A funeral service for Earl will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at Zion United Methodist Church in Bonduel with the Rev. Dan Nault officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg-Wendt Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Meadow View, the hospice nurses, the hospice chaplain and Pastor Nault for all they have done.