Johnny Lee Gruber

Johnny Lee Gruber, age 76, passed away on Monday morning, November 10, 2025, in the care of his daughter. Johnny was born in Marion, OH, on September 19, 1949, to his late parents, Roscoe Gruber, Jr. and Joanne Waters. Johnny would get married to his late wife, Ida Louise Gruber (Unroe), on February 9, 1978, in Marion, OH. They would remain by each other’s side until Ida’s passing on December 27, 2023.

Johnny graduated from Marion Harding High School. As soon as he graduated high school, he enlisted into the Air Force, where he was honorably discharged. Following his service to the country, he worked for the Erie Railroad, then Marion Power Shovel, and finished his career at the police dept where he served as a police officer and a detective for 30 years, retiring in 2012.  At one point he was even decorated as Officer of the Year.  The department is where Johnny was blessed to have shared an amazing brotherhood and made many memories with his best friends, Tom Bell and Robert Turner. Johnny was a loving husband and father. His grandkids were everything to him as well. They would always make fancy paper airplanes together, and he would come up with silly fun games to play. His animals were a huge part of his life as well and loved taking care of his cat “Tigger” and dog “Jingle”. In his free time, he liked to go fishing and have family get togethers. He was always famously known for his Ohio State vs Michigan parties back in the 1980s.

Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his siblings, Steve Gruber and Jackie K. (Les) Bowers.

Left to honor and cherish his legacy are siblings; James (Pat) Gruber, Pete Gruber, Bonnie Dendinger, Donna Cook, Gloria McMahan, and Sue (Dwight) Roseberry, his daughters, Holly (Brian) Schaber, Michelle (Matt) Rank, and Kimberly Gruber, grandchildren; K. J. and Kurerra Vernon, Josh and Schyler (Nichole) Trent, Brienna (Ian) Johnston, Allyson (Gabe) Blackwell, and Arica (Tyler) Cermak, and his 5 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Gruber family would like to invite all who knew Johnny to the Boyd Funeral Home for calling hours on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. There will be an interment service held at the Marion Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Pastor Berry Hensley will be officiating all services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Homeless to Homes Cat Rescue here in Marion. The Boyd Funeral Home is honored to be helping the Gruber family in their time of need.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnny Lee Gruber, please visit our floral store.