Adolf “Bus” John Gruenfeld, Jr., age 86, of Prospect Street, Wetmore, died on Monday morning, October 16, 2006 at the Munising Memorial Hospital. Bus was born on December 24, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Adolf and Frances (Kowalski) Gruenfeld. He graduated from St. Mels High School in Chicago where he was pitcher on the baseball team. Bus then went to the University of Illinois where he was a pitcher and a football player for the Fighting Illini. While in college, he was sought out by the Detroit Tigers, (which would have not been his first choice being the die hard Cubs fan that he was) but was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in WWII in the EAME Theater as an MP. After returning from the service, Bus married his wife of over 52 years, Betty Wise. She preceded him in death on March 14, 2002. Bus and Betty lived in Chicago. He was a driver for his father’s Blatz distribution company and then a meat cutter for A&P. While in Chicago, Bus was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Bus moved to Munising in 1978. He was a true lover of golf, not only did he love playing, he loved watching the pros on TV. Even while living in the U.P., Bus continued to cheer for his Cubbies and Da Bears. He loved going on road trips, whether it was across the U.P. or just around the block. Bus had recently become a fan of taking trips to the Seney Wildlife Refuge to do some bird watching.

He is survived by children – Cathy (Ed) Davis of Wetmore, Kurt (Kelly) Gruenfeld of McHenry, IL, Mike Gruenfeld of The Pines, IN, and Judi Colbus of Munising; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friend Jean Smith of Wetmore.

A Memorial Mass will be conducted by Father Chris Gardiner on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising.