Ronald J. Gruel

Ron GruelRonald J. Gruel passed away of natural causes on November 8, 2006, at his home.

Ron was born July 1, 1947 in California. In 1952, he moved to Portage, Montana, with his parents, Richard H. and Thelma Haney Gruel. He thrived living on the family farm and attended the same one-room school house that his father had attended in Portage.

In 1961, the family moved to Billings and Ron graduated from West High School in 1964. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Colorado, Arizona and Thailand.

In December, 1996, Ron married Peggy Rogers.

Ron loved working with wood and worked as a carpenter for several years. He started his own business called Ron's Wood. Poor health forced him to retire to lighter work and he attended Montana State University College of Technology, where he studied AutoCAD. Ron worked for various companies using AutoCAD.

Ron had a soft spot for animals, always taking in stray cats dumped in his neighborhood.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dad Melvin, and his son, Byron.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy, his children, Ronda (Rob) Hott, Jeff (Wendy) Gruel, step-children Coleen (Jim) Shimek, Tammy (Brian) Derr, Connie (Rick) Gatch, Suzanne (Mike) Harris, Brothers Rick (Elaine) Gruel, Andy (Brenda) Gruel, Robert (Toki) Gruel, sisters Sandy Dorsett, Carol Anderson, Cindy (Les) Ingle, Doris (Rick) Elkins, grandchildren Riley and Ryan Hott, Kassie and Dylan Gruel, Jimmy, Amber and Ashley Shimek, Garrett and Spencer Derr, Alix Gatch, Jacob and Luke Harris, and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., on Monday, November 13, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.