Gerald P. Gruett, Sr., age 90, a resident of Portage, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 surrounded by his loving family and his extended Rittenhouse family. He was born on January 12, 1926 in Rhinelander, WI; to the late Edward and Adelaide Gruett. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He was a longtime Lake Station resident and was active in the Lake Station Cub Scouts Pack 143. Gerald served as a Police Officer for East Gary and later served as a Reserve Police Officer. He retired from the Anderson Company. He served as first district Councilman in Lake Station from 1984 to 1987. Gerald continued working and was employed at Al's Supermarket for over 20 years. He was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart, American Legion Post 100 in Lake Station, and was an associate member of the Lake Station FOP Lodge 153.
He is survived by two sons; Gerald (Rhonda) Gruett Jr. of Porter, Mike (Suzanne) Gruett of Plymouth, one daughter; Debi Gruett, five grandchildren; Sarah (Chris) Gorski of Valparaiso, Matthew (Beth) Gruett of Crown Point, David (Chrissy) Gruett of Porter, Jenifer (Derek) Anderson of Burns Harbor, Karly Gruett of Plymouth, and 10 great grandchildren. Gerald was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy "Dottie" Gruett, and son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Linda Gruett. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gerald's honor may be made to Harbor Light Hospice, 1229 Arrowhead Court, Crown Point, IN 46307.
Funeral services are Saturday, January 7, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage with Chaplain Rob Dorow officiating. Private burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Visitation is Saturday just prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, Portage. Call (219) 762-3013 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.