Obituary of John Robert Gruender

John Robert Gruender was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 29, 1948 and passed away in Macks Creek, Missouri on September 21, 2008. John is survived by his wife and soul mate, Karen Gruender of Macks Creek, Missour; four daughters, Tammy Gail Vandeloecht and husband Steve of Steedman, Missouri, Tammy Sue Sharley and husband Jr. of Macks Creek, Missouri, Laurie Veach of Huntington Beach, California, and Debra Spence and husband Keith of Wilmington, Ohio. John is also survived by his father, Eugene H. Gruender Sr. and companion Willa Smith of Sturgeon, Missouri, and brothers Eugene H. Gruender Jr. and wife Nellie of Sturgeon, Missouri, Joe W. Gruender and wife Mary of Columbia, Missouri and James W. Gruender of Mexico, Missouri; ten grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. John was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Gruender and a sister Dottie Lee Gruender. John attended Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri until eleventh grade and graduated from Rolla High School. He was a master craftsman in many areas of construction. John loved riding his motorcycle, hunting and trapping. The place he held dearest in his heart was Cedar Camp on the Little Niangua River, which he built with his wife Karen. He shared his undying love of the outdoors with hundreds of campers and canoers who all became his friend and call him �Big John.� John�s philosophy of life was; Life�s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid sideways totally worn out shouting �Holy crap what a ride!�