Bernard William Gruhn

Bernard (Ben) William Gruhn passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, March 2nd in Niceville, Florida.  He was born on March 12, 1927 in Garfield Heights, OH to Herman and Anna Gruhn.  He is now with them in Heaven along with his brother Herman and close family and friends.

A devout Catholic, Ben grew up in Garfield Heights and helped lead the Garfield High Basketball team to the 1944 Conference Title.  Shortly after that, he served in the Coast Guard during World War II maintaining and patrolling critical navigation channels in Washington DC.  Later, working in the car sales business, he lived the bachelor’s life well into his thirties when he met the love of his life, Mildred (Millie) Miholovic at the ice staking rink. They married in May of 1962 and moved to Parma where they were members of Saint Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church.  Ben enjoyed golfing and took pride in his garden, growing beautiful tomatoes and flowers.

He was exceptionally proud of his only daughter, Anne Therese, who brought three life-changing people into the family: son-in-law Steve and grandsons Jake and Josh.  Ben and Millie travelled the world visiting their daughter’s family while they were stationed at various Air Force bases.  During one of their trips, Ben finally visited his homeland of Germany.  As much as he loved traveling, his favorite times were when his grandsons would visit Cleveland during the summer.  He enjoyed showing them how to build things and paint.  He also loved to take them to Kiddy Park and Put-put golf.   After his retirement Ben and Millie moved to Niceville to be closer to their family.  His last big trip was when he traveled to Atlanta for the marriage of Jake to Brianna.  He had a wonderful time watching his oldest grandson married in the Cathedral of Christ the King, with his youngest grandson acting as Best Man. He also enjoyed seeing old friends and being served Manhattans, his favorite cocktail, at the reception.

He is survived by his wife Mildred; his daughter Anne Loken and husband Steve of Destin; his youngest grandson Joshua; his oldest grandson Jacob and wife Brianna, their son, his great-grandson, namesake and pride and joy, Bennie.

All are invited to a Catholic Mass on Saturday, March 6th at 10:30 AM CST at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church in Niceville, Florida.  The event will be Livestreamed for those who cannot attend.  Check the church web page https://corcatholic.org/  for more information.  Burial will be private at Barrancas National Cemetery Annex, Pensacola Naval Air Station, in Pensacola, Florida. 

The family would like to thank the staff of Twin Cities Pavilion for the years of great joy and caring, the doctors, nurses, and aides at Twin Cities Hospital for making the last moments of Ben’s life peaceful, and the friends and family who lifted us with their prayers.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to one of the following:

Twin Cities Pavilion

1053 E John Sims Pkwy

Niceville, FL 32578

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Attn: Anton J. and Adele T. Eichmuller Endowment Scholarship Fund

1 St Mary of the Woods Coll

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN 47876

Saint Mary Catholic School

110 Robinwood Dr SW

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

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