Melvin "Mel" Gruber was born on Dec. 13, 1928 in Kensington, KS to Irwin & Tressie (Vibber) Gruber. He passed from this life on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS at the age of 82. Mel graduated from Kensington High School in 1946. He married LaVona Dettmer on July 24, 1949 in Kensington, KS. Mel started working for the local Boogaarts in Smith Center, KS in 1952. He continued to work for Scrivner-Boogaarts for the next 34 years until his retirement in 1986 as a warehouse foreman. Mel was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife: LaVona Gruber, Concordia, KS; daughter: Cindy Buer & husband Kirby, Scandia, KS; son: Greg Gruber & wife Nancy, Phillipsburg, KS; grandchildren: Braden Buer & wife Jennie, Megan Buer, Angela Rose & husband Van, Nicole Sedelmeier & husband Kent & Karinda & Brittani Gruber; 2 step grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren & 5 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Adkins & parents. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. David Strommen officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 9 PM with the family greeting friends from 6:30-7:30 PM, Thurs., Feb. 10, 2011 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed. Burial will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, Feb. 11 at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington, KS. The family suggests memorials to the Concordia Lutheran Church or St. John's Lutheran Church, Kensington in care of the funeral home.