- Date Of Birth: July 14, 1923
- Date Of Death: June 6, 2019
- State: Illinois
Robert Edward “Bob” Grusk, 95, of Peru, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 6, 2019 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Peru. Bob was born July 14, 1923 in LaSalle to Stan and Helen (Wittliff) Grusk.
He attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and was a graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School, Class of 1941 and LPO Junior College. While in high school, he was a member of the “elite eight” undefeated football team and served as Class President and Treasurer. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, achieving the rank of Sergeant and serving as a Repeaterman Telephone #187 Operator in the Army Signal Corps, attached to the 5th Air Force in the South Pacific area, New Guinea, Philippines (Luzon) and Okinawa, Japan for three years. He was awarded three bronze stars, a good conduct medal, the Asiatic Pacific theatre campaign ribbon, three overseas bars, a victory ribbon, and the Philippine Liberation ribbon. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. Upon Bob’s return to LaSalle, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris May Debo on October 12, 1946, at St. Mary’s Church, Peru, officiated by Rev. Michael Gildea. They would have celebrated 73 years of marriage this year.
Bob worked as a manager for the F.W. Woolworth Company stores in Michigan and Ohio for 19 years. He and his family returned to the Illinois Valley area in 1965 and he became a part-owner of Debo True Value Hardware Store for 28 years prior to retirement. Bob was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Peru, Holy Name Society, Illinois Valley Community Hospital Red Coats, Illinois Valley Community Hospital Foundation Board, Platters Club, Veterans of Foreign War Post 4668, World War II Memorial, Red Cross Mobile Meals, Small Business Association and Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was a frequent blood donor for the Red Cross and was former president/treasurer of Peru C.S.O. He remained an avid L-P Cavalier fan and coordinated class reunions for decades.
Bob and Doris were blessed with five children, Barbara Doherty of Utica, Marilyn (Rudy) Galletti of Peru, Susan (Mark) Van De Wyngaerde of Oglesby, Robert Grusk of LaSalle and Lori (Thomas) Tyrrell of Dundee. He is survived by his children and 13 grandchildren, Brian (Mandy), Kevin (Faith) and Matt (Julia) Doherty, Katherine (Doug) Kotecki, Nick (Kristi) and Neal Galletti, Tara (Will) Gross, and Michael Eric Van De Wyngaerde, Nora, Emma, and Mary Kate Grusk and T.J. and Kayla Tyrrell and 11 great-grandchildren, James, Connor, Brendan, Rose, and May Doherty, Emily, Piper, and Molly Kotecki, Grant Galletti and Ella and Gavin Lamboley.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Doris on June 4, 2019; son-in-law James Doherty; grandson Eric Scott Van De Wyngaerde; his brother, Arthur Grusk, and numerous aunts and uncles. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
