Lonnie Arnold Gruver, Sr.

Rev. Lonnie A. Gruver, Sr., 77, of Dayton, died Sunday, January 8, 2012, in Dayton. Funeral services will be held  3:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at the Pace-Stancil Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Dayton.  Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.  Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. Lonnie was born April 16, 1934 in Gueydan, LA, to parents; Elton A. and Bertha Biddle Gruver, and has resided in the Dayton area throughout his life.  He was a graduate of the Dayton High School class of 1952, received his Bachelors of Art Degree from the East Texas Baptist College, a retired auditor for the IRS, a former pastor and taught Sunday school for many churches in the Dayton area, and member of the Grace Community Baptist Church.  He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, church activities, and his dogs. Pastor Gruver was preceded in death by his parents and grandson:  Mark Gruver.  He is survived by his wife of 37 years:  Linda Fitzhenry Gruver of Dayton, sons:  Timothy A. Gruver and wife Dee Ann of Liberty, Randall L. Gruver and wife Helen of Atascocita, Daniel R. Gruver and wife Mary of Baytown, and Lonnie A. Gruver, Jr. and wife Pam of Cleveland, daughters:  Courtney Jo Gruver of Dickinson, Bessie R. Conn and husband Dale of Dayton, and Tomika V. Chapman of Dayton, brothers:  Clarence Gruver and wife Reedie of Pasadena, Lee Gruver and wife Linda of Daisetta, sisters:  Jimmie Lou Powe and husband Roger of Dayton and Velda Nichols and husband Fred of Humble, grandchildren:  Robert Conn, Matt Conn, Dannon Gruver, Rachel Alonzo, Tracy Pitre’, Becky Dodson, Sean-paul Gruver, Michael Gruver, Ashley Gruver, Timmie Gruver, Austin Gruver, Micah Gruver, Kirbie Gruver, and Carley Gruver, great-grandchildren:  Zoie Hammer, Chelsea Sardelli, Tripp Conn, Koden Alonzo, Christian Dodson and Gage Gruver, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.   Â