Melvin Henry Gruensfelder

MR. MELVIN HENRY GRUENSFELDER Melvin Henry Gruensfelder, 89, of Valdese,NC, died Thursday May 21, 2009 at Shaire Center of Lenoir following a period of declining health. The funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 24, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home. The Reverend Willow Heim will officiate and interment will be in Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Hogansville. Mr. Gruensfelder was born on September 25, 1919 in San Jose, Ill. to the late Henry Gruensfelder and Emma Jean Gruensfelder. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1987 as a professor of HPER at Appalachian State University. He was a member of the Boone First United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Willie Jo Garrett Gruensfelder. Survivors include his children, Jean Brown and husband Charles of Melbourne, FL., Thomas Ray Gruensfelder of Dothan, Al., and Dr. Paula Reynolds and husband Jim of Valdese; two grandchildren, Tamara Levi and husband Jason and Daniel Brown. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Turner Scholarship or the Erick Degroat Scholarship, c/o A.S.U. Foundation, A.S.U. Box 32014 Boone, N.C. 28608 or online at give.appstate.edu. The Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visitation: 3:00 until 4:00 Sunday, May 24th, at Cluade A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home Services: 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 24th, in the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home Interment: Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Hogansville