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The Rev. Lavely Dorsey Gruber, 95, died at the Pickersgill Retirement Community in Towson where he lived. A memorial service was held at Milford Mill UMC Jan. 8. The Revs. Shari McCourt, Betty Dunlop, Larry Plymire, Ruth Ann Miller and Carl Rife conducted the service. The Rev. Kenneth S. Valentine officiated at a graveside service Jan. 9 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.

Gruber began his ministerial career at Sudbrook in Pikesville in 1942. He was pastor emeritus at Ames-Sudbrook after his retirement. He moved to Rognel Heights in southwest Baltimore and remained there for 26 years until 1973 when he retired. That church since 1979 has been the Edmondson Heights Seventh Day Adventist.

Gruber was chaplain in the Maryland National Guard from 1947 to 1950. He held several conference positions including chairman of the Board of Hospital and Homes, a trustee of the Board of Child Care and a member of the Board of Pensions.

He was a founding member of the Board of Shepherd College Foundation and remained a member emeritus. He also served as a member of the Medico-Clergy subcommittee of the State of Maryland.

During his retirement years he served as an interim pastor many times, particularly at Milford Mill and Arbutus UMCs. He enjoyed traveling and was a supporter of the Baltimore Opera.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Ann Heintzman Gruber, who died in 2000.

He is survived by a daughter, Lynn Gruber of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sons, Mark L. Gruber of Rehoboth Beach, Del., and James M. Gruber of Sharpsburg.

Condolences may be sent to Mark Gruber, 428 Spring Lake Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lavely Gruber Scholarship, Shepherd University Foundation, P.O. Box 3210, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.