Leslie M. Gruver

Leslie M. Gruver, 79, of Montgomery, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2024at UPMC Williamsport surrounded by his loving family.

Born January 8, 1945 in Muncy, he was a son of thelate Marlet H. and R. Maxine (Metzger) Gruver. He and his wife, the former Joanne L. Simon, celebrated 55 years of marriage before her death September 4, 2020.

Leslie was a 1963 graduate of Montgomery Area High School. He worked for Northern Central Bank for 26 years where he was Assistant Vice President and Operations Officer. He was instrumental in the introduction and implementation of the ATM machine known as “William Teller”. He then served as Lycoming County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator for 19 years, before retiring in 2007. He was also Vice Chairperson for the Radiological Emergency Advisory Committee.

In 1964, Leslie was appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to the volunteer position of Civil Defense Director for the Montgomery Borough. Currently known as the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), he held various positions including Treasurer, Secretary, and Newsletter Editor. He actively posted all of the content on the agency’s Facebook and Twitter pages including weather warnings, rising river levels, and more. Friends and followers always commented on how they enjoyed his posts.

Leslie was a lifetime member of the Clinton Township Fire Company since joining in 1965 where he held various positions including Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Safety Officer, and Chaplain. He was an officer and instructor for the Lycoming County Radiological Response Team and a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Assessment team.

He was a member of Pine Street United Methodist Church, Williamsport, and was previously a member of St. John Lutheran “Brick” Church, Montgomery. As an avid train enthusiast, he was a 25 year member of the White Deer and Reading Railroad and the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, where he also served as secretary.

Leslie was a past member of the West Branch Chorale and the Montgomery Rotary Club. He received the Grit Meritorious Community Service Award, the Commanders Award from the Civil Air Patrol, and the Award of Excellence from PEMA, among others. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, going on train excursions with his wife, monitoring the weather, and was an active amateur radio operator.

Surviving are three children, Steven (Lee Ann) Gruver of Brentwood, TN, Susan Marshall of Montoursville, PA and Michael Gruver of Nashville, TN; two grandchildren, Kayla and Lana; brother, Dennis Gruver; brother-in-law, Wayne Simon; numerous nieces and nephews; and we can’t forget his loving cat, “Scooter”.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by son-in-law, Cory Marshall, sister-in-law, Nancy Gruver and brother-in-law, Gary Simon.

Friends will be received Thursday November 21, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Grenoble Funeral Home, 121 S. Main St., Muncy. Funeral services will be conducted Friday November 22, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran “Brick” Church, 196 Brick Church Road, Montgomery. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggest memorial contributions in Leslie’s memory be made to the Montgomery EMA, Attn: EMA Treasurer, 102 Broad St, Montgomery, PA 17752.