In Memory of Dennis L. Gruver
On April 14, 2022, at the age of 80, Dennis L. Gruver passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 53 years Priscilla, his children Angela, Lisa (Ian Mainville) and Christopher, all of Orleans, Ontario, his grandchildren, Jonathan, Emily, Cameron, Katelyn, and Olivia, brother James (Nancy) of Huron, Ohio, and sister Carol (James Stanley) of Fremont, Ohio as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
He was born in Fremont, Ohio on January 8th, 1942 to Merle and Marjorie Gruver. He attended Capital University for four years as a pre-seminary student, followed by four years at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio where he received a master’s degree in Theology.
He was then ordained as a Lutheran Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ohio. Following that, he went on to his first pastorate, as an associate pastor, at Faith Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Michigan. He remained there for six and a half years and was then called to be associate pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, in Omaha, Nebraska for six and a half years. After this, Dennis was called to be senior pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio for five years. In 1981, he was called to join the leadership team at Toledo Covenant Church. He remained there for five years and in 1986, he along with Michael Cook, and their families moved to Ottawa, Ontario to pioneer New Wine Community Church. Dennis remained here as pastor for 31 years until his retirement in 2017.
Over the many years as a pastor in Ottawa, he was involved in the coordination and planning of many city-wide church events. Evident in all he did was his passion for helping people.
Dennis enjoyed reading, politics, fishing, oil painting, photography, jazz, Christian worship music, and spicy food! Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He will be missed by all.
Visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Rd., in Orleans on Tuesday, April 19th 12 p.m.- 2 p.m. A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation, at 2 p.m., followed by the internment at Dale Cemetery in Cumberland.
The ceremony may be viewed live or on replay by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuFriFFmLfQ
Condolences may be shared online at: www.heritagefh.ca
I wish to send my deepest condolences to the Gruver family. Dennis was a great man who spread the love of God over anyone who would let him. Truly a very good man. My prayers are with you all during this sad time. May the peace of God which defies all understanding cover you all. With much love, Jocelyne.
Blessed to know Pastor Denny! Many lives have been challenged and forever changed due to his faithful service. Eternally grateful ♥️ Prayers for his precious family 🙏
Dennis and his family were so beloved by the Toledo Covenant Church family. There was a real void when they departed. They were loved because of their pure hearts, but also for their wonderful humour. Now Denny is enjoying the presence of the Lord. My prayers go up for his wonderful wife and family.
One memory from 30 yrs of sharing the joys & challenges of following Jesus in covenant community….wow this is tough but one of my favourites is years of Thursday night worship practice in our basement with Denny & Priscilla and the New Wine Covenant Church bands. Especially when Denny was in the mood to ‘jazz up’ the tunes.
Our hearts are aching with you Priscilla, Angie, Lisa & Christopher at the suddenness of his passing into Glory. Praying for you all as you adjust to life without your amazing husband, father, grandfather & friend. Much love xo
So sorry to hear of Pastor Denny’s passing. He was very instrumental in our lives and in our walk with the Lord. Our prayers go out to his wife and family! With love. Tim and Sue Bock.
Pastor Denny was very inspirational in our walk and love with God. David and I were blessed to have Pastor Denny marry us 39 years ago.
Our love and prayers go out to Pricilla, her children, and grandchildren during this difficult time. Love David and Bonnie (Ortloff) Driver.
Words cannot express what this man meant to so many in his lifetime. As a young teenager, I was privileged to have & know this incredible family & with Denny as our Senior Pastor in Toledo. He changed the lives of so many, words cannot express my gratitude. To Priscilla, the children, grandchildren & family members, please know you are all in my thoughts & prayers. Those of us who cannot be there in person, are with you in Spirit. Blessings to you all!
Our sincere condolences to the Gruver family. May God give you strength. Sending prayers.
Lucie
Sylvain & Jason Therrien
Thank you so much for your faithfulness to the LORD, and for impacting my life during your years at Toledo Covenant—especially Priscilla. Thank you for investing yourself in me to give me the tools to lead worship through music effectively. May the LORD wrap his arms around your family in your loss.
We just heard about Denny’s passing; so difficult for all of us, but promotion for Denny! We pray for all the family to be wrapped in the Father’s comfort.
We got to know Angela over the years as one of our daughter’s best friends, Nathalie Desbiens. We are deeply sorry to hear about Angela’s dad departure. We extend our sincere condolences to the whole family. Paul and Suzanne
Dear Priscilla, Angie, Lisa & Christopher,
The Apostle Paul reminds us regarding the death of a loved one that we who believe in Jesus do not grieve as those who have no hope. Yet nevertheless we do grieve with real grief, and Marny and I send you and the grandkids our deepest-felt sympathies and well-wishes on the loss of your beloved Denny from your midst. Over the many years that we knew Denny we always found him to be a really kind, helpful and caring person in so many ways. We like so many others, but especially yourselves, will miss him dearly. Yet, because of the resurrection of Jesus and so many other promises of God we have an unshakable hope of seeing our Brother once again, healthy and and full of joy, and being with him and all the believers in the Presence of the Lord!
May the Lord Jesus bless you all with HIs Grace and His Peace.
With love and hugs,
Rudy and Marny Pohl
Everyone, So sorry to hear about Uncle Denny. We wish we could be there with you. I will miss the visits when you were in Tennessee.
Love,
David, Kelly, Jacob, and Gabrielle Gruver
Aunt Priscilla, Angie, Lisa, Chris and families,
We grieve and pray with you for the loss of Uncle Denny.
I remember finding a lot of peace in Uncle Denny’s words at Grandpa’s funeral, “Dad’s not here with us today watching over us…he’s rejoicing with Jesus and dancing in heaven.” Now he is with our Lord and doing the rejoicing!
I will certainly miss the jokes and laughter and the occasional deep faith discussion.
God grant you peace.
What a joy it was for God to bring Denny & Priscilla into our lives through Calvary Lutheran Church in Omaha NE. We have remained friends through the years. It was wonderful to work with Pastor Denny with the youth at Calvary. Priscilla gave our children piano lessons when they were young. Our daughter babysat Angie and Lisa. I will miss talking to Denny about spiritual things and politics in the U.S. I appreciate the many prayers they said for Marty & I. May our great God give peace and comfort to the Gruver family. You are so loved!
Praying the Lord comforts you. Thankful that Denny was faithful in seeking God’s will and following Him, encouraging others by his words and example.
Priscilla and Family
Our sincere sympathy!
Jim and Shirley Hasselbach
Sending my love and condolences for your loss Angela and family. Your dad was always welcoming and gracious with a smile that warmed up a room.
Denny Gruver my pastor and beloved friend. I am not sure you realize the impact that you and Priscilla had on my life.
I will always cherish the Friday morning breakfast and the laughter we shared together.. When we came to Canada to
Canada to visit the dinners we shared.
The one that stands out is the place we went that had dinner and a live show. Again, the love you and Priscilla showed and the fun and laughter we shared.
My friend this is not a good bye, but rather it is. Until we meet again. Thanks for all you have done for me in my walk with Christ our savior. You will be missed so much, my brother is Jesus Christ. Randy
N
Such a wonderful man. So dedicated to God and to his congregation over the years. Always a pleasure chatting with him.
United with His Lord but missed here on earth.
Love and Blessings to the whole family ❤️
Dear Priscilla, Angie, Lisa, Christopher and family,
May God’s Spirit carry you through this time of loss.
Surely Denny is rejoicing with our heavenly Father right now!
He will always be remembered as a great leader, father of faith, and rallying soul
Thank you for all the great times, and the trust and love you have shown us..
Bob & Chantal
God‘s peace and comfort to Priscilla and the family! Leslie and I have so many fond memories of our relationship with Denny and the years at Toledo covenant. Denny had a special gift of kindness and openness that caused people to Connect both to him and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!. Eternal rest to our brother Denny!
I was blessed to know Pastor Denny and the family at Faith in Toledo. Pastor Denny had a great impact on my life, as he came and brought life to our church. I was 13 when they came. We were all blessed by his ministry, and Priscilla with the choir. I remember especially the retreats with the youth! I took voice lessons from Priscilla, and sometimes sang in the choir. I had the pleasure of babysitting the kids! When I met my husband, pastor Denny talked with us a couple of times, while we were dating, he was always very kind and helpful! We now have been married 37 years, and have 3 children, and 5 grandchildren! Over the years I have thought about the Gruver family often. I give thanks to the great Lord for bringing them in to our lives! We pray the Lord give you peace and comfort and wrap his loving arms around during this time.
I was so blessed to have known Pastor Denny. His prayers for me over the years have had a lasting impression and effect on my life. He always took time for people.
Sending love and prayer to Priscilla and family during this difficult time.
We wish to give our deepest condolences to Priscilla and family. Denny was very special to us . We were drawn to him because of his love for people and deep
Love for God . He was a teacher , mentor
And spiritual father to many . We will miss
Him deeply . May God’s peace be upon
The Gruver family at this time of sorrow.
My deepest sympathies to Pricilla and family. I briefly took voice training from you in the 90’s. Meeting you and Dennis brought me joy at a difficult time in my life.