Stephen Grunninger

Stephen Grunninger found peace, Friday, July 22, 2022, following his parents, six siblings, (Joseph John, Catherine Marie, Mary Agnese, John Joseph, George Joseph and Teresa Mary), wife Marjory Arlene Cooper-Grunninger and daughter-in-law Karen Margaret Hughes-Grunninger to heaven's gate.

Stephen was born May 24, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, the youngest child of János "John Joseph" Grunninger and Rosa Terézia "Theresa" Leinmeister. The child of immigrants, he was proud to be a first generation American, enlisting on December 10, 1942, and serving in the US Navy from 1942-1946 aboard the USS Madison, fighting for the Allies in the South Caribbean, Mediterranean, the Irish Sea, the Gulf of Gaeta, the 1944 invasion of South France, Anzio, Italy, Sicily, Iceland, Great Britain, North Africa, Malta, Panama, Okinawa, Guam, and, finally, in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of Imperial Japan on September 2, 1945. Stephen finished his Naval career stateside in Virginia, his final rank was Specialist X.

Following WWII, Stephen was employed by Firestone assembling aircraft guns for twelve months while attending night school to earn his high school diploma. He was laid off under the "Back for a year, Bye, Bye, dear" rule. He then found employment at the Dictaphone Corporation. However, he found his true calling when he took the civil service exam and accepted a position with the Akron Police Department on January 1, 1951 serving as a patrolman, motorcycle patrol, funeral service escort, and attaining a final rank of detective before retirement May 1, 1975.

On August 14, 1948, Stephen married the love of his life, Marjory Arlene Cooper, from whom his eyes never strayed. During their devoted 72 years of marriage, they were blessed with two sons, Stephen "Douglas" (Diane McClain- Cramer) and Jeffery Doyle (Dr. Tracy Johnston). Stephen was baptized, confirmed, and educated, and married at St. Martha's Catholic Church in North Akron.

Left to remember his life and mourn his passing including his sons are:

Grandchildren: Kelly Michele (William Sr.) Locke, AnnMarie (Kevin) Brunswick, Dr. Courtney Johnston (James) Bonney, and Attorney Cassidy Johnston Grunninger.

Great Grandchildren: Jacqueline Michele (Dr. Chad Carpenter) Locke, William (Dr. Meredith Evans) Locke, Jr., Breanna (Joshua) Brunswick-Peters, Rhodes Jeffrey Bonney, Westley Jake Bonney; Nieces and Nephews who meant so much to Stephen - Rosemary, Cecilia, David, Lucille, Phillip, Mary Ann, Gary, Sandra, Rebecca, Gregory and Mary Lou.

The Cooper family members; cherished friends who enriched his life, Greg, Barbara and Jason Brunk, the very best neighbors and friends, along with lifetime friends, Joyce (Jack) Sealy.

Final arrangements will honor his lifetime and proclamation of his Catholic Faith. Friends and loved ones are invited to join the family at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 East Exchange Street, Akron on Wednesday July 27, 2022. Calling hours begin at 10 am, followed by a funeral at 11 am, and burial at Holy Cross Cemetery to follow.