Thomas E. Gruhl, of Zionsville, Indiana, and Sanibel Island, Florida, died unexpectedly on June 8, 2015, at the age of 80.
Thomas was born in Hope, Indiana, the only child of Pearletta Gruhl Hitchell. He graduated from Hope High School, Franklin College, and the Banking College at the University of Wisconsin.
He served in the United States Army for two years and benefited from the GI Bill. In 1960, Thomas was accepted into the Management Training Program for Merchants National Bank, beginning a 32-year career with the Frenzel family.
His banking career brought him to Zionsville, where he served as president of Farmers State Bank, which later became Mid State Bank, then Merchants, National City, and is now PNC Bank. Under his leadership, the bank grew to nine branches, $112 million in assets, and 60 employees.
During his 32 years in Zionsville, Thomas was a pillar of the community and was actively involved with the Zionsville Lions Club, Zionsville and Boone County Chambers of Commerce, Zionsville Water Corporation, Capital Facilities Plan Steering Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, Zion Aqua, and served as a volunteer with the Zionsville Fire Department for 23 years.
After retiring from banking in 1992, Thomas played a leading role in founding the Community Foundation of Boone County, where he served as chairman of the board for many years. Over 23 years, the foundation’s assets grew to $21.4 million, an accomplishment of which he was deeply proud.
Thomas had a passion for travel and, with his wife Kathleen, visited 88 countries and took more than 30 cruises over 33 years.
Surviving Family
- Wife: Kathleen McClanahan-Gruhl
- Daughters:
- Carmen Ton (Jeff)
- Tami Bursch
- Grandchildren: Alexandra Bursch and Nicholas Bursch
Services & Remembrance
Visitation was held on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Leppert Mortuary in Carmel, Indiana. A Celebration of Life service took place on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the same location, officiated by Dr. T. Garrott Benjamin.
Arrangements were entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were suggested to the Thomas E. Gruhl Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Boone County, Lebanon, Indiana.
Sources
- Obituary notice for Thomas E. Gruhl. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}