Bryan J. Gruber, Jr., 86, of Highland, Ill., formerly of Mexico, passed away Sunday morning, September 22, 2024, at LaBella of Edwardsville, Ill.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon Thursday September 26, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 600 E. Promenade, Mexico, MO 65265, with Rev. Rick Smith and Rev. Joe Pike officiating.  Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church. Pickering Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Bryan was born in Mexico on June 15, 1938. He was the son of Bryan J. Gruber. Sr., and Augusta (Tochtermann) Gruber. On December 23, 1960, in Montgomery City, he married Patty Sue Wheelan. Pat survives at the home in Highland, Ill.

Bryan was a veteran and served in the Army/National Guard. He attended Northeast Missouri State University where he obtained a BS in Accounting. He moved to Mexico and opened an accounting firm which later was named Gruber, Tanzey & Co. LLC, where he spent 38 years with offices in Mexico and Montgomery City. He retired in 2014.

Bryan was a member of First Baptist Church in Mexico. He served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and he worked with the youth and was a bus driver. He also was very involved in the community. He was a long-time volunteer with the Miss Missouri Pageant serving as auditor for over 25 years. He was on the board of Hannibal-LaGrange University for over 25 years, served on the City of Mexico planning and zoning board for several years, was a member of the central chapter of the Missouri Society of CPA's, Past President of the Mexico Kiwanis Club and for Missouri Kiwanis had served as Lt. Governor, and he was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge. In his leisure time he enjoyed playing golf.

In addition to his wife Pat, survivors include one son Scott Gruber (Wendy Holloway), of Edwardsville, Ill; one Godson, Shannon Acree (Christine), of Irving, California; one brother, E. Randall Gruber (Teresa), of St. Louis; one brother-in-law, George Leach, of Centralia; four grandchildren, Frankie Holloway, Mercedes, Hunter, and Faith Acree; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Janice Ann Leach.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Mexico, Audrain Humane Society (Pet Pals) or to Got Your Six Support Dogs. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.