Albert “Jack” Gruenert, 85, of Hayesville died Thursday, September 2, 2010 in a Gainesville, GA hospital.  A native of Clifton, NJ, he had lived in Reading, PA most of his life before moving to Hayesville in 1968.  He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy in the European, Pacific, and Northern African Theaters.  He was a self-employed sign painter.  Jack was a member of the Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol), where he served as junior vice commander for 10 years.  He also served on the burial detail. He served on the Clay County Fire and Rescue Squad and had been active in many organizations and served on many boards.  Jack was also a member of the Truett Memorial First Baptist Church.

He was the son of the late Curt and Gertrude Elizabeth Frankenstein Gruenert and the husband of the late Paula Elizabeth Raudies Gruenert.  He was also preceeded in death by a son, John Albert Gruenert, who died in May 1999.

Surviving are his wife, Frances Aaron Roberts Gruenert; three step-daughters, Debbie Cline of Milton, WV, Joan Kappers of Snellville, GA, and Teri Thompson of Hayesville; three step-sons, Steve Rhodes of Florida, David Roberts of Owensboro, KY, and Donnie Roberts of Hayesville; a sister, Mildred Lena McNeil of Wernersville, PA; and several grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Monday, September 6 in the Chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with Rev. Jackie Sellers officiating. Interment was in the Laurel Hills Memory Garden with military graveside rites conducted by the Murphy American Legion Post No. 96, Murphy DAV Chapter 73,  Murphy VFW Post 10222, Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol), Hayesville American Legion Post 532, and the NC National Guard. Pallbearers were members of the Clay County Fire and Rescue Squad.

The family received friends from 12:00-1:45 Monday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in memory of Albert “Jack” Gruenert to the Clay County Fire and Rescue Squad, c/o David Crisp, PO Box 325, Hayesville, NC 28904 or to the VFW Post, PO Box 424, Hayesville, NC 28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.